40 Days of Purpose Week 1

WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR          25 Apr 04

DAY 1 The book page 1 “You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” The core issue is humans did not just evolve from lower life-forms. God the Trinity created humans directly using earth material already in existence. Naturally God would create a carbon-based human life-form to live in a carbon-based earth life. He thus made humans able to use existing lower life-forms as food.

      God created humans in his “image.” (Gen 1:26-27 RSV) "Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." {27} So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." "Man" (^adam, Heb.) is generic for both sexes as is shown by the plural, "let them." Also, v. 27 identifies "man" as "male and female." "Image" and "likeness" are synonyms (cf. 5:1; 9:6), the former perhaps stressing representation, and the latter, similarity. This says nothing about man's physical nature, but it points solely to the spiritual and moral nature of mankind, i.e., mind, emotion, and will. The body is designed for giving expression to this spiritual and moral selfhood. God created mankind so that it would be capable of fellowship with Him. Human life, even after the Fall, is specially endowed and, therefore, is precious in the eyes of God and protected by the ordained institutions of society (9:6). God’s purpose for creating humans was to have fellowship with living beings that reflected him. No other creature in Heaven or the Cosmos is ever ascribed with this characteristic. The first interaction of God with Adam and Eve was for fellowship. (Gen 3:8-9 RSV) "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. {9} But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?"" We do not know how long this had been taking place but God (probably God the Father) apparently made regular visits to fellowship with Adam and Eve.

            Note two key facts:

  1. Adam by himself would be lonely, even with regular visits from God. (Gen 2:18 RSV)  "Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."" Yet no one cares to acknowledge this today. God created humans to have both a separate independent life with other humans and to have a fellowship relation of the greater to the lesser.
  2. Without both, a human’s life cannot be complete. Therefore, the use of (book page 17) “What should I do with my life” is a valid question. There is to be an independent life with room for fellowship with the Creator. Starting with ourselves is natural and biblical. For a lost person, this is the only place to start since repentance is a requirement before fellowship can be reestablished with God. But what most people do is either do that exclusively or seek the area of fellowship with other than the only true living God.

The book page 18 states “you won’t discover your life’s meaning by looking within yourself.” What must be said is “you won’t discover your life’s meaning by looking just within yourself.” Again the book states page 18 “You were made by God and for God—and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” That is not correct. Humans were created by God and our purpose is both for God and for self-with-humans. Thus it is true (book page 18) “You were made for God, not vice verse, and life is about letting God us you for his purposes, and not your using him for your own purposes.” But we must realize the two aspects of God’s purpose for everyone: An aspect of human fellowship with humans and the aspect of human fellowship with God. The two prime purposes for which God created Mankind are: 1) Freewill life in God’s righteousness and 2) Fellowship with our Abba Father.

If we ignore either aspect, we will never find or complete God’s purpose for our lives. Certainly (book page 19 “being successful and fulfilling your life’s purposes are not at all the same issue!” This is correct when success is defined only in the human aspect of living. Jesus made many statements about the spiritual being the more important aspect. But he never ignored or dismissed the physical. Just like at the “Lord’s Prayer” and Jesus making a physical home for his mother Mary during Passion Week.

So where do we find the way to achieve both aspects of God’s purpose for our lives? Book page 20 “To discover your purpose in life you must turn to God’s Word, not the world’s wisdom. You must build your life on eternal truths…” Note “eternal truths.” As discussed above, an eternal truth is what the Bible says, not what we or someone wants it to say. Thus the finding and doing of God’s will for your life is a lot more complex than what the author states.

 

DAY 2 Unfortunately the author is totally wrong in this chapter. The book page 22 states “God prescribed every single detail of your body.” That is completely and absolutely wrong for many reasons. To believe this means you have to believe that God purposely creates deformed children of minor to horribly form babies. He did NOT (book page 22) “He custom-made your body just the way he wanted it.” That is absolutely wrong Bible scholarship. The only two humans God ever did that for was Adam and Eve. All humans thereafter are the result of the gene-controlled life system that he designed. What is true is God is aware of every baby, born and unborn. It is also non-Biblical that (book page 23 “he also decided when you would be born and how long you would live.”

            It is a serious wrong and weakness to what the author seeks to achieve to what this as a core foundation for the rest of his book. The true of the real situation is more than sufficient. God conceived the pattern of human life but he does not do what the author claims. It sorely weakens the statement (page 25) “your life has profound meaning!” All human life has profound meaning because God created humans for two distinctive but mutually related and supportive purposes. All human live has profound meaning because of the individual infinite worth of a human life. The fact that Jesus would have gone through the Cross Event for just one lost person.

            During the Baptist Jubilee of the 20th Century, SBC put out a pamphlet about the Infinite Worth of an Individual. Baptists should have been using that ever since. It should take the place of this major error chapter.

 

DAY 3 It is an important question: “What Drives Your Life?” People must understand this before real repentance can take place. Whether you are lost or saved, this various from day to day, although there is usually a prime or two or three driving factors

  1. “Many people are driven by guilt.” They cannot forgive and/or forget things of the past. These things may or may not have actually been the actual result of actions by the person, yet a person may feel guilt nonetheless. Many Christians cannot seem to forgive themselves even though (Psa 103:12 RSV) "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." If God forgets forgiven sins, so should we.
  2. “Many people are driven by resentment and anger.” Both are strong emotions and both can be irrational. Such emotional can and often are passed from generation to generation. Look around the world at family and tribal feuds and hurts that were done maybe hundreds of years ago.
  3. “Many people are driven by fear.” They fear may have a basis or not. It is the perception that is a person’s reality. Some fear will always be in any person’s life, not matter how close of a fellowship one may have with God. (John 17:14-15 RSV) "I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {15} I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one." Christians will always have various troubles.
  4. “Many people are driven by materialism.” (Eccl 3:13 RSV)  "also that it is God's gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil." There is nothing wrong with having wealth, if it is used in line with god’s purpose for human life. (Eccl 7:12 RSV) "For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it." (Eccl 10:19 RSV) "Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything." But if that is an overwhelming focus, then it becomes bad.
  5. “Many people are driven by the need for approval.” It is right that a person life a life that can gain proper approval from other humans as well as God. It becomes a problem when one or the other is excluded. God expects us to life a balanced life just as Adam and Eve were before they sinned.

On page 30 we read “a life guided, controlled, and directed by God’s purposes. Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purpose for your life.” This is fundamentally true. And it is easy to know in its basic form. Yet people will write book after book on how to find what this is. IT IS NO MYSTERY. (Rom 12:2 RSV) "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." The will of God for EVERY person is “what is good and acceptable and perfect” as defined by God. Note carefully who has the action and responsibility to learn and do this. IT IS NOT GOD! The INDIVIDUAL is to do this. God WILL NOT do it for you or anyone. Otherwise God would not have had Paul write (Eph 4:22-23 RSV) "Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, {23} and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,"

Certainly there are great benefits in living the Growth Process outlined by Peter in (2 Pet 1:5-7 RSV) "For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, {6} and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, {7} and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."

  1. “Knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life.” Of course this should read “purposes.” Life without God does not have eternal purpose. A lost person, no matter how well he or she fulfills the first purpose of life, will end up in Hell. That first purpose is not to be dismissed or overlooked. Many a Christian has come from a good lost family. There are many lost members of Baptist churches. They bring their children to church where the children are taught important things about God that often lead them to salvation, even if there parents remain lost. But there will be no eternal meaning for the lost person after death. This is often a drug to the lost. They may well think God will accept them because they are living a humanly good life. A lost person may well do more good to other humans than many Christians. They may have more hope (albeit a false hope) than many saved people. They may feel they are living a purpose-driven life of their or other’s defining. This is why many a lost person sees no need to address the second of God’s purposes. But no matter how well a person’s life is going, death will bring Hell.
  2. “Knowing your purpose simplifies your life.” Maybe or maybe not. Many a person is happy as they are. For them to realize god’s two purposes for human life adds greatly to their lives. Page 31 “It is impossible to do everything people want you to do. You have just enough time to do God’s will.” It is true you cannot please everyone. But God’s will take us into interfacing with people. In ROM 12:2 Paul said we are to “rove what is the will of God.” The basic Greek is to test. We are to show in daily life what God defines as “good and acceptable and perfect."
  3. “Knowing your purpose focuses your life.” That is certainly true. It is a time-proven fact that a person rarely rises about the goals the person set for achievement. But it does not come automatically, even when you realize Rom 12:2. It is a hard road of many growth steps as Peter states in 2 PET 1:5-7.
  4. “Knowing your purpose motivates your life.” This is true if you agree with that purpose. If you do then passion and action will result.
  5. “Knowing your purpose for eternity.” First, of course, chose to become an adopted son or daughter of God the Father by (Acts 20:21 RSV) "testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." Then we are to do (Mat 28:19-20 RSV) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age."" All the while we are to be doing our human interface purpose well. A proper witness best comes from a life that even the lost respects.

 

DAY 4 Book page 36 “Life on earth is just a dress rehearsal before the real production.” Certainly life has a physical end. But it is more than a dress rehearsal. It is the most critical time of the two acts. It is when a person decides, one way or another, where to spend eternity: in Hell or on New Earth. We are NOT going to live in God’s current Heaven! Let us get this right as well as God’s two purposes for human living. We are going to live eternity on New Earth and the Trinity is going to leave heaven and live with us! See Rev 21-22. This should make a person live remaining life differently. Too many people think short-term because they do not believe in life after death. Alternatively people think long-term wrongly. Look at the terrorist martyrs who are will to die for a supposed guarantee of a happy eternal life. Life is about both acts, but one must get the first done properly.

 

DAY 5 Book page 41 “The way you see your life shapes your life. How you define life determines your destiny.” A person works for the goals the person sets for life. But “destiny” is the WRONG word. It means “a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency.” (Webster’s Internet Dictionary) We determine our future. God has placed not destiny before anyone. Every human has a freewill that God never forces to his will. Even in the Old Testament, God may have sued strong motivation, but the individual was still free to make a choice and God upheld that choice, even if it was eternal death.

The book page 42 “Life on earth is a Test.” That is not the case. There may be tests from God along the way to help us realize where we stand spiritually with him. But the whole of life is NOT a test. It is meant to be a joyous living of the human and spiritual purposes of live for every human. We have total freedom of choice. We should live as if you can see God walking with use as he once did with Adam and Eve. But even then, freedom of choice existed.

The book page 44 “Life on earth is a Trust.” By this should be meant nothing physical will be taken by us into the next stage of life. There, if a person is saved, all things will be provided new and improved. So we have no need to take anything. But here the earth is loaned for you use and care. (Gen 1:28 RSV) "And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."" God has so richly designed the Cosmos, that it will take many more centuries before humans learn all about it. It does matter how we use the Cosmos as to how well we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. (Mat 25:31-46 RSV) ""When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. {32} Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, {33} and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. {34} Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; {35} for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, {36} I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' {37} Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? {38} And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? {39} And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' {40} And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' {41} Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; {42} for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, {43} I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' {44} Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' {45} Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' {46} And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."" It is a questionable thesis that spiritual blessing come from money management.

 

DAY 6 Human life on this earth is temporary for the reason than the Cosmos will be destroyed at the Second Coming of Jesus. But in addition God has placed a physical life limitation so humans will be more likely to ponder what happens after death and do the proper actions toward Jesus as Lord and Savior. While this is true, God does not cause the death of any human, except in special cases such as Ananias and his wife Sapphira. For a saved person, God wants us to recognize the fact of Eternal Security by having the expectation that we will have an eternal future home with him on New Earth. So we are indeed “God’s children.” Realizing this fact should motivate so to spiritually grow so that we will honor our Father on this earth. All Christians are given at least one task to do while we are here. Often the Holy Spirit assigns several tasks over a lifetime. These are spiritual tasks to advance the witness to the lost, help fellow Christians to spiritually grow, and to grow ourselves.

 

DAY 7 Book page 53 “The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the glory of God.” The Greek for glory means 1391. doxa, dox'-ah; from the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (lit. or fig., obj. or subj.):--dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship. The whole Cosmos shows the glory of God. (Rom 1:19-20 RSV) "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. {20} Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;" His glory is all around if we would see it. Jesus is the perfect reflection of the glory of God. (John 8:54 RSV) "Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing; it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is your God." (Phil 1:11 RSV) "filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil 3:3 RSV) "For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh."

            Book page 55 “We bring God glory by worshipping him.” This does not mean just in a church building or meeting of Christians.

            Book page 56 “We bring God glory by loving other believers.” And we do so by loving the lost as well.

            Book page 56 “We bring God glory by becoming like Christ.” It is “LIKE” Jesus. We cannot become as Jesus. (2 Pet 3:18 RSV) "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

            Book page 57 “We bring God glory by serving others with our gifts.” This is not just money, but our abilities we develop as we live.

            Book page 57 “We bring God glory by telling others about him.” Christians is an EQUAL Priests before God, be they male or female. Priests are meant to lead people to a relationship with the Father through Jesus as Lord and Savior and then to help develop that relationship and fellowship.

2 TIM 4:1-2 Dr. H. H. Hobbs wrote in his Studying Adult Life and Work Lessons, October-December 1992, page 75 “”Change” translates a verb meaning to bear a witness. Paul made this change in the very eyes of God the Father and God the Son. Notice the affirmation of the deity of the Son in this statement…. It is a form of oath…. The judgment will involve both a “quick” (zōntas, living) and the “dead.” This will take place at His “appearing,” or second coming.” This is the White Throne Judgment. Noting 1 Thess 4:13-17 and 1 Cor 5:51-52, when Jesus returns, the judgment of all Mankind of all earth time will occur. Jesus will never set a foot on this earth again. (John 5:22 RSV)  "The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son," (John 5:28-30 RSV) "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice {29} and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. {30} "I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." Note also (Mat 24:30-31 RSV) "then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; {31} and he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Paul’s “and his kingdom” is the same kingdom Jesus told Pilate of during the trials. (John 18:36 RSV) "Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world."" This John points out in (Rev 1:6 RSV) "and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Dr. Hobbs, page 75 “”Preach the word,” or gospel, the total truth of God’s word.” TOTAL TRUTH! Nothing less than or different than or more than! (Rev 22:18-19 RSV) "I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, {19} and if any one takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (vv. 18,19) Early Christian writers understood these verses as warnings to false teachers who would tamper with or alter the content of the Apocalypse. Such individuals by their actions reveal their unregenerate state and, therefore, are cursed with judgment (Rev 22:18) and excluded from heaven (Rev 22:19). Anyone who does not preach/teach the full, total truth is maybe a well meaning, sincere, the best of intentions person, but a false teacher anyway. Paul said to stick to this no matter the time of year or circumstance. Dr. Hobbs, page 76 “”Reprove” means to bring to proof or to blame where it is due. “Exhort” renders a verb that means to call alongside. He word can mean exhort, encourage, or comfort – whichever is needed. This is to be done with longsuffering and patient teaching.” When this is done, it is not (2 Tim 2:14 RSV) "Remind them of this, and charge them before the Lord to avoid disputing about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers."

2 TIM 4:3-4 This is not referring to any specific time but in the time of the lives of many people they will go after teachers who do not teach “sound doctrine.” Dr Hobbs, page 76 “The idea is they want to hear what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.” Again, this may be from teachers who sincerely believe they are teaching them right doctrine. There are many ideas about what is the content of the Plan of Salvation as to how to be saved. ALL OF THESE CANNOT BE CORRECT. But all denominations and independents believe they have the truth. Dr. Hobbs, page 76 “They prefer to hear fiction rather than biblical fact.” Any teaching that is not real Bible fact is a fable. Usually, this happens when the people do not do (1 Cor 14:29 RSV) "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said." THE MOST NEEDED AND LACKING THING IN SBC churches today is Sound Doctrinal Teaching. Discipleship Training, particularly when it was Training Union without videos, once provided the source for doctrinal teaching. Only accurate teaching will appeal to the mind and the heart properly. Sunday School is not sufficient to the task alone.

2 TIM 4:5 “You” is emphatic. Dr. Hobbs, page 77 “The verb rendered “watch” means to be sober… The ear scratchers were intoxicated with their desire for popularity. But Timothy was to avoid this… Instead, he was to endure suffering, if necessary, as he preached the truth of the gospel.” This does not mean automatically or even physical suffering. I have received mental suffering from some in churches who do not think I taught truth in selected areas. This mental abuse WILL affect the person and their family! Dr. Hobbs made this central and vital point: “Whatever Timothy did, he should emphasize evangelism. Whatever we do in our churches should be geared to evangelism. Evangelism involves not only winning the lost but development of the saved. In doing this, we will fulfill the purpose of our ministry.” (Mat 28:19-20 RSV) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.""

2 TIM 4:6-7 Dr. Hobbs, page 78 “Literally, Paul says, “For I am already being offered.” Paul was big on using metaphors, especially of Greek games. The Greek corrects an English translation misconception. Dr. Hobbs, page 78 “”Finished” renders the perfect tense of teleō, which means the final act in performing a task”” It does not mean having finished the task. Paul declares he has be true to Jesus in how he has worked his tasks.

2 TIM 4:8 Paul looked to the Day of Judgment when Christians will be awarded for their service to God. Christians will be rewarded, The lost will be punished. Paul had absolute confidence in his Eternal Security.

2 TIM 4:9-10 Paul, the teacher and preacher of the real truth still had major problems with those whom he taught. Some left for the wrong reasons while others left for unspecified reasons.

2 TIM 4:11-12 Paul wanted mark to be brought to him because "for he is very useful in serving me." The Greek for "serving (ministry)" is 1248. diakonia, dee-ak-on-ee'-ah; from G1249; attendance (as a servant, etc.); fig. (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (espec. of the Chr. teacher, or techn. of the diaconate):--(ad-) minister (-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service (-ing). The same word group Paul used in 1 Tim 3:11. This word is often translated deacon but often so-mistranslated. As Dr. H. H. Hobbs pointed out the Greek is generic meaning one who serves. It is doubtful that Paul meant deacon here. Mark had earlier deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. They agreed to disagree on their second trip. Paul took Silas while Barnabas took Mark. Mark proved himself through serve with Barnabas and Paul wrote in Col 4:10-11 that Mark was now a "fellow-worker" with him. This shows that you can learn to be trustworthy. It shows that you cannot always tell how trustworthy a Christian will be until the pressures of the real world comes into play. We can only speculate how Mark developed spiritually and morally to change his ways. It is not unreasonable to give Barnabas a lot of credit. He was a major trainer for spiritually young Paul. Apparently he did the same for Mark. We need to remember that the Holy Spirit gave Paul a three-year seminary course before he turned Paul loose. From Mark we can also learn that failures need not be permanent. Get up, study, pray, and try again. Becoming trustworthy takes practice as well as good intentions. Paul would disagree as he did with Barnabas on Mark. The statement should read: "Being willing to depend on others who seem trustworthy is essential in seeking to build a trusting community." Adjustments may be needed on both sides as real life is played out. We are not asked to have blind faith in people anymore than Paul had in Mark. But as Paul did, we are to give people a chance to show their worth and give them other chances when growth has been demonstrated. How often are we to do this? Looking to Jesus we have to say there is no limit.

2 TIM 4:13-16 The cold dampness of his Roman prison was a severe trial to the aging Paul. He requests his cloak. Though Paul is keenly aware that the end of his life is near, he is still a student. Accordingly, Paul requests that his books and the parchments be brought also. "Books" were probably rabbinic commentaries written on papyrus. "The parchments" (vellums) were more likely Old Testament manuscripts which Paul especially desired.

2 TIM 4:17-18 Jesus provided the real help even Paul needed at times that he could not get from other Christians. He had absolute trust in Jesus and Jesus’ promise of Eternal Security.

2 TIM 4:19 These were among the faithful to Jesus and to Paul.

2 TIM 4:20-21 Whereas God often heals the sick, through physicians or without them; it is not the case that in all situations there is instant healing. Epaphroditus was seriously ill for some time (cf. Phil. 2:25-27; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; James 5:14, note). If it were God's will that all should be healed, surely Paul would have been able to heal Trophimus.

2 TIM 4:22 The greeting is common with Paul.

 

Marvin Ganote, Hobbs Study Class Adult Teacher, ganotemd@dma.org  Lesson at: http://www.dma.org/~ganotemd/lesson.htm  or http://homepages.udayton.edu/~ganotem/bible/lesson.htm