Day #216: 2 Timothy 3:8-9

According to Jewish legend, Jannes and Jambres were two of the magicians who counterfeited Moses’ miracles before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:11-12). Paul explained that just as Moses exposed and defeated them (Exodus 8:18-19), God would overthrow the false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian church. While the false teachers’ threat to the church was very real both across the Roman world and in our world today (hence, Paul’s advice about dealing with them in this and many other letters), the threat will never be fatal to the gospel. Just as Jannes and Jambres’s fake power was eventually revealed by God’s power through Moses (Exodus 8:18-19; 9:11), so what fools they are would eventually become clear to everyone. Whatever the temporary success of the false teachers, eventually they would be completely humiliated.

Paul did not specify how that would happen. Perhaps it would not be until Christ’s return; or perhaps God would ensure that discerning believers will see through the deception; or perhaps God would work behind the scenes in such a way that the false teachers will be unmasked for who they really are.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Here's the take away for us today - just as false teachers will be exposed some day for what they truly are - so will our sin be exposed as well as our true motives be exposed. Scary thought huh?

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

My point? Let's make sure that whatever we do, wherever we serve, wherever we work - our career, our families, church - we seek to serve not for the praise from men, but we seek to serve and work for God's praise and for God's glory.

Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.