Articles
They Went Forth
Posted by Jamison Jones
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2 Timothy 3:14
In his early years, British statesman Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) taught Sunday school. His favorite Bible verse was Genesis 12:5, “They went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came” (KJV).
That verse was a motto well-suited to a man of his iron will. It also gave him a biblical basis for citing two qualifications for success in life. One is to have the right destination- “They went forth to go into the land of Canaan.” The second is to keep going after we have started-”into the land of Canaan they came.”
As the apostle Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he knew that he would die soon, and he reflected on his life. He was not a leaf tossed about by the winds; he was an arrow headed for a target! Paul found his direction and destination in his relationship with Christ, and he wanted to cultivate in Timothy the virtues of a life well-lived. He offered himself as a model: “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience” (2 Timothy 3:10). “Never give up,” he seemed to be saying to young Timothy.
If you desire to live the rest of your days for Christ, you must determine to put Him first. Set your target, start your journey, and never give up! One day, it will be said of us, “They went forth into the Promised Land, and into the Promised Land they came!”