“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Parting words are important words. The letter of 2 Timothy, written by the apostle Paul to the young man, Timothy, shortly before Paul’s death, is a significant summary of priorities that Paul sought to impart.

He urged Timothy to be fortified in grace through Christ. Grace is unmerited, undeserved favor. Strength is found in savoring this grace and relying upon it, rather than working and serving through one’s own strength and determination. Be strong in what God supplies through Christ.

And then there is the priority of perpetuating the faith and truth. Truth that has been clearly proclaimed is to be entrusted to those who are faithful and reliable in training others with it, who will also continue the process. The transference of truth is a sacred trust.

Paul was about to die, and he no doubt found immense satisfaction in knowing that Timothy was faithfully “taking the baton,” and continuing the relay race. But, who would eventually take up where Timothy left off? The faith was one generation away from extinction if not handed off to those who would follow.

The legacy of truth is something we each do well to consider. The faith that we embrace and live was handed to us by someone who went before us. Likely a name or names come to mind as you read this, and how indebted we are to these individuals for the spiritual impact they have had on us. Who will say the same of us after we are gone? Who will faithfully take up the faith and run with it?

Those of us in the later stages of life have a great opportunity to focus our efforts in training the next generation to embrace and perpetuate the faith. We likely can identify at least one younger individual who is receptive and ready to be further trained. An important prayer for us to pray today is for opportunity to mentor that one younger individual. As we do so, we will have played an important part in the process the apostle Paul articulated in 2 Timothy 2:2.

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