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HE relationship between truth & holiness might not be immediately obvious, but it is there nonetheless. It was the lies of Satan that polluted the connection which we had with God in the Garden of Eden. Now, all have sinned; all fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). The solution for our perpetual lack of holiness is a divine infusion of gracious truth into our souls. Jesus said, "The truth will make you free" (John 8:32). It is logical therefore that as Paul wrote this 2nd challenge to young Timothy he spent some time passionately promoting the propagation of truth, along with a high standard of holiness.
The dissemination of divine revelation has an evident order and chronology. The old prophets certainly played a vital role in laying a firm foundation of gospel truth (for example: Isaiah 45:22, 52:10, 53, Habakkuk 2:4, Genesis 6:8, Deuteronomy 18:15 & 18, etc.). John, Jesus, and the apostles built a sturdy bridge of gospel doctrine. God used Paul then to expound the nature of the gospel extensively in his many New Testament epistles. Among these fine treatises is this letter to Timothy. Timothy was a single link in the great gospel chain (vs. 7-8), but he wasn't the last link. Paul reminds Tim (in verse 2) that he was responsible for passing the gospel along to others, who in turn would also need to teach others. And, here we are today, some 2000 years later, still believing & preaching the same good news. Christ's mission was to restore us to that secure place of trust & righteousness. As believers, we should always function under the correct assumption that God is good & right. He does all things well. His plans are perfect. His words are reliable. His strength is infinite.
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