OBTAINING SALVATION. 2nd Timothy 2:10 “Obtaining salvation” does not mean that salvation can be earned by any means. It does mean that being faithful in presenting the Gospel to others so they can hear, repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ is essential, even if the messenger has to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. No suffering is too great if it results in the salvation of those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul, the apostle, faced suffering from many sources and in many ways to bring the light of the Gospel to precious souls. He understood that God was willing and eager for those who heard the Gospel to put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. That was when they became His elect people. The temporary circumstances he endured were worth it considering the eternal glory ahead. We may not always understand why things are the way they are when we suffer. It is enough to know we are doing God's will from the heart, and we can leave the “whys and wherefores” to our Lord. He knows the hearts of all people. He also knows the end from the beginning because He is the “First and the Last.” It is our calling as a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own special people to proclaim the praises of our Lord. He has called us out of the darkness of this world into His marvelous light through the Gospel. So, it is right if we also face suffering and hardships for the sake of those God is going to save by His grace. When called to endure hardships for the elect’s sake, maintaining our integrity is crucial, even if it means going in the opposite direction from people we know. We must live with ourselves, and the impact of personal integrity is that we preserve our self-respect, dignity, and a clear conscience. Our families will also recognize when we suffer in some way and learn from how we accept what God allows, so they will remember the parents' example when they are called to do the same. People around us or in our sphere of influence will be motivated to endure difficulties when they see the importance of the moral climate we are committed to. The workplace is probably where suffering for the sake of the Gospel is most challenging. We must choose to speak out when compromise or deception is used to gain profits. A believer's ethics must remain intact, especially when we realize that God can use opposition to us to advance His work in the future. Enduring hardship for the sake of the elect influences our relationship with God. Speaking the truth in love is highly valued by Him. He enables us to walk in the light when darkness of sin surrounds us. The cause of Christ is most clearly served in the workplace, where we live before God in our hearts and before people in action. Speech, attitude, commitment, trust, and actions all reflect the power and impact of the Gospel.
2 Timothy 2:10