Resources/Articles
A Genuine Faith
In our Sunday morning class we have been discussing what it takes to go from faith to conviction. In 2 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul reminds Timothy of some very important steps he took for his own transition from faith to conviction, which serve as a great example for us today. Not only had Timothy learned the Scriptures, Paul mentions that he had been “assured of” these things (2 Tim. 3:14). At some point, Timothy realized that he had to be convinced of these truths on his own, and not simply believe based on what he had learned from his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5). Like Timothy, we must also pursue our own assurance of the things we have been taught in order to develop a “genuine faith.”
Paul also mentions that Timothy knew “from whom [he had] learned them.” Through the example of his mother and grandmother, there was a certain amount of confidence Timothy could place in the things he had been taught because he saw it lived out. We too serve as an example to our children and those around us and can instill the same confidence by living out the truth.
Lastly, Timothy had taken the time to become “wise for salvation” through his own study of the Scriptures. At the end of the day, it is the personal time we put in Scripture that will develop our faith in Christ and ultimately make us “thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:17). Timothy serves as a good example for us in how to move from faith to conviction. May we all strive to have the same “genuine faith” as Timothy and those who taught him. - David
