Today's Verse: 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Paul, of course, is writing to Timothy, with advice for Timothy's ministry. He also wrote this letter while he was in prison. The Bible Exposition Commentary suggests that Paul considered the fact that he suffered for his beliefs as proof that he was giving a godly life.

Today's Comments: The Bible Exposition Commentary reminds us that Paul would fail miserably today if he were to apply for a position as a Christian leader. He had a prison record, he was disabled, and he stirred up trouble in virtually every place that he visited. He was a poor tent-maker who refused to cater to the rich. And, of course, before he entered the ministry, he persecuted Christians. Obviously, he did not have a very good resume, did he? And yet, God used him like He had never used anybody else. Paul was faithful to the end. Are we? Will we? Like Timothy, we need to listen to Paul so that we may be faithful. So many Christians would prefer to ignore Paul, because he says things that we do not want to hear. The bottom line is that we should listen to Paul more, because we will be better Christians for it.