Re: Verse reading–2 Timothy 1:6-14; 2:1-15 (day five)
6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
Paul uses the image of a farmer as a picture/example to teach Timothy (and us) lessons about the Christian Life. What is it about the farmer that helps us better understand that Christian Life? Hard Work? Yes! Certainly effort and energy are required. But consider Paul is also illustrating a blueprint for growth and strength in the relationship between God and each believer.
Jerry Bridges writes, “Farming is a joint venture between the farmer and God. The farmer cannot do what God must do (sunshine, germination, rain), and God will not do what the farmer should do (plow, fertilize). We can say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on His own part”.
