What Are You Doing?

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Here we see Paul bent over nearly double scratching out this letter to his spiritual son in the faith called Timothy. Now before we talk about what spiritual sons are, there are some other things to see first. The text speaks of the things learned, heard, and assured of. See, for them to be learned someone first had to pour a lot of time into him, teaching them. In fact, they speak from the heart of someone who almost made it his life’s mission. Scripture tells that wherever Paul went, Timothy was not too far behind.

He went with him on some of his walks and talks with Jesus and even went out some on his own. It seems then that Timothy had gone with Paul so far yet to be mentioned so little on some of his travels. Yet that is just how a good father does, whether spiritual or not, keeping watch over their son almost as one of their own. Timothy had been more than taught, he had also seen it in action. His faith had some facts under it if you will. So then, faith with proof behind it makes none ashamed at all of them that hear it.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Whether Paul had continued to guide and mentor young timothy from a child on up is quite another matter entirely. Yet for the sake of the faith, he did so regardless of what age Timothy was whether young or old. From the text it is clear though that someone had been in the young child’s life teaching him the paths of the Lord so that when he is old it would keep his feet in all safety. So then, he would neither stumble nor fall being rooted and grounded in the faith.

You know how some little children are oh so prone to stumble and even some older people too. Yet here the Scripture is seen as also holy, that which lights the path and purifies the way. Then too there is some wisdom behind it. You might wish to have a sage or even an age at times. But when you have the Lord, you will have someone to tell you which way to go, how to walk in it, and to save you out of any dangers you might come across on your path.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

So, Paul takes his time, as a spiritual father, showing Timothy how to use it and what it is good for. That way, when Timothy is out there, he is never really left alone. See, God himself as our eternal Heavenly Father inspired it. He also who has such thoughts for man, wished for none to wander the darkness of this world helpless and alone. So, he inspired it. Then again, it can be used for all sorts of things. There is some doctrine behind it. It tells you what to believe, how to live, how to think, and even how to conduct yourself. There’s some reproof in there also. Should you find any in error on the way, it will be the proof you need to back you up and the reproof they need to correct theirs.

That’s why there’s some correction found therein as well. It will tell them what to do when and even how to fix any mistakes made as it will for you as well. Then again there’s some instruction in righteousness. It is all fine, well, and good when you are telling others what to do but sometimes you find yourself in need of some straightening out yourself. That is why it’s called instruction in righteousness. Then will you be functioning very well as a mature grown-up in the faith.