“Share in suffering”

Article for October 12, 2025

2 Timothy 2:1–2 1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

We are the children and more importantly we are the children of God, Yahweh Elohim.  What you have heard from me your pastor hopefully does not differ from what Paul has written down as inspired by God whom we believe.  We should also put our faith in those who had you call me to be your pastor and as I preach to you these people and Elders have lifted me up in prayer for the sake of spreading God’s word to you and others as needed.

Many witnesses would be the churches and congregations that God has blessed His word to be spoken in.  Certainly, God has blessed me to speak to you here at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  It is your faith that has allowed God’s word to be spoken through me and any pastor you may call.  It is to your advantage that I do speak God’s word, His gospel, His will, and definitely His love for you.  It is also your duty to make sure I am doing what God has sent me to do which should be in line with the call you have entrusted to God and myself.

2 Timothy 2:3–7 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Paul says rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep and live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:15,16a).  As a soldier will fight alongside another soldier and they will protect one another, we should do likewise.  Our battle ground is the community around us wherever we are.  This is fighting the good fight and spreading the good news, that we hold one another up as well as holding one another accountable. 

Messiah Lutheran Church in Midland Michigan, when the pastor was Pastor Finke, had started an accountability ministry.  The way this works is for each of us to select an accountability partner.  This person would keep you accountable for those things you said you would do in church and out of church.  Also, this accountability partner should be one whom you could trust with your darkest secrets. 

The accountability partner is also held to be accountable as they are sworn to keep everything you say to them in strict confidentiality.  To be honest with you, I practice confidentiality every day, but I don’t know always who I can trust to keep my darkest secrets, if I should have any. 

However, having an accountability partner is a very good idea, just keep your dark secrets between you and God who is the best accountability partner anyone could have.  That’s using God’s law as a mirror to see your true self.  And, seeing yourself, know what you must work on to improve your true relationship with God.

So, to the one who is rewarded is the one who competes.  Not that we should compete against one another, but that we should try and outdo one another in kindness, and the works God sent us to do, (Romans 12:10)  The reward will be what Jesus Christ died to give us and that is a share in His inheritance which is eternal life with God.

Not that there are not rich farmers, but that our farmers are hardworking people who know more about a good day’s work than most.  Farmers do not shy away from the work set before them.  Also, there are many who should be commended in their vocation who also do not shy away from their labor.  God rewards all who work in His word that is set before them, too.

2 Timothy 2:8–10 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul is speaking to Timothy while suffering in captivity for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Jesus also spoke to all who can hear while suffering on the cross which they secured Him to with nails through His very flesh.  Jesus bound by these nails forgave us our sins and asked His heavenly Father also to forgive us our sins.

So, we endure all that comes our way and take it with a smile of joy.  We of faith know Jesus has secured a gift of life for all to believe in, and for those who believe this most truly will happen.  This is our God given fate that we put our faith into, eternal life of joy with our savior Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:11–13 11The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;13if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

      Trustworthy indeed and in truth, let us die with Jesus so that we may live with Jesus who was resurrected for our sake.  Through our God given faith we will be resurrected as Jesus Christ was.  Let us endure what this life throws at us and be confident in the joy of the life to come.  This is a gift because no one is able to earn their way to heaven or eternal life in heaven.  And feel even more confident that even when we become faithless God remains faithful.  And here is that proof we all look for: “(for HE cannot deny himself.)”  A promise given a promise kept.

      Written by Pastor Curtis A. May