Manu

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? How can we prevent our faith from degenerating into "a form of religion" without the power? -- Yes. It is easy to become a hypocrite in the following cases:- 1. When people say that they know everything, but do not follow them practically in their lives and moreover they strictly look on others. 2. When people get used to do the regular activities without the real experience of power. Daily exercising of faith, receiving power from on High and getting guidance from the word of god rather than acting swiftly really prevents our faith from degenerating into a form of religion. We need to examine ourselves in HIS presence whether are we allowing any cold state or lukewarmness in our heart. We need to have good fellowship with the people who follow the Lord with all their heart.

Q4. (2 Timothy 2:15) Exactly what is the analogy with a skilled workman that forms the basis for Paul's instruction to Timothy? How does this apply to our teaching of scripture today? -- 'Skilled Workman' : He is the one who shows his skill by presenting his art or work so that he would be approved by authorities. Surely he will not be ashamed of his work because it is approved by the authorities. Ultimately he becomes the person of worth to do the excellent work or art. Similarly the servant of God being as the teacher of the Word of God should firstly present himself as sacrifice to the work of God, having good testimony. And then he himself should know the scriptures correctly and should apply them in his life and practice them everyday so that he is prepared to teach and instruct the word of God. And moreover if the men of God are lead to be by the holy spirit and should not compromise when teaching the scriptures in the medium of truth.

Q3. (2 Timothy 2:3-7) Paul calls Timothy to endure hardship for the sake of the goal. What in the experience of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer illustrates this well? Which of these examples speaks most strongly to you? -- Soldier is the very unique and most excellent one among the illustrations quoted by Paul because the true soldier is the one who leaves behind all (whatever family, comfort....) for the sake of his country. And mostly the characteristics of a soldier; the watchfulness, endurance of hardships, prepared to fight at any time and many more... really inspires me more. The next, athlete is the one who practices regularly and strives hard to achieve the goal. And the farmer the one who starts with tilling the ground by removing all kind of stones, preparing it to sow the seed and then after sowing he takes care of the crop by watering, removing weeds whatever, he toils day and night while he constantly waits for the fruit with much hope. These three characters teaches us mainly of the following: Soldier --> Watchfulness [Watch and pray and be strong to face our enemy] Athlete --> Regular Practice [Practicing our faith and pressing forward towards the goal] Farmer --> Constant Care and Hope [be careful about our spiritual life and take care of souls growing in faith and hope for the fruit and Kingdom of Our God to come. Simply working in the God's field by proclaiming gospel carefully. ]

Q2. (1) Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? -- Today the major part of Christendom are attracted only towards preaching done about the health, prosperity and how to being blessed with earthly blessings. And sure many preachers those who are tuned (carried away) by the congregation, themselves are living a comfortable lives putting aside the matter of suffering for the gospel and so the call to live a good secular life and enjoy the physical blessings is more resounding than the call to endurance and suffering. (2) Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? -- Actually those are the times when the apostles were facing severe trials and tribulations and many times imprisonments for the sake of gospel. Timothy knew about those hardships and yet followed Paul and not deserted him. May he is willing to suffer but was filled with fear about the then secular world. Moreover he may having a question that whether he would be enduring till the end in the work the Lord has appointed him. (3) What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel? -- It is known that the Christianity, firstly born out of the great and priceless sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and secondly out of much trials and tribulations and sufferings of apostles and other great men of god. So the result of willingness to suffer for the gospel is the building of God's Kingdom and through which the name our Lord is glorified.