2 Timothy 3:10-11 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra--which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

What did you notice about these two verses? I read this passage numerous times, thinking through each word and phrase. I realized something profound - at least for me. I found myself desiring for Paul to give me more explanation than the simple categories he lists for Timothy. Paul is Timothy's example for living out his faith and calling in Christ. Timothy has been on mission with Paul and sat under Paul's instruction. As one living in close quarters with Paul, Timothy had intimate knowledge of how each of these categories were defined in Paul's life. As I read these verses, I wanted Paul to explain more about what Timothy was following. "Paul, what was your teaching? What was your conduct? What was your aim in life? etc."

I realized two profound truths as I read this list over and over.

1. Paul's whole life is on display in the book of Acts and his letters.

Every one of the categories that Timothy has personally witnessed in Paul can be defined for us when we read about Paul and through Paul in the New Testament. I realized how thankful I am that Paul, warts and all, could be such an open book. I thanked God for such a godly example of Christ's grace and truth. I thanked God for a man so aware of his own sinfulness as an undeserving recipient of grace.

Sometimes reading the bible takes work. Understanding the subject headings of Paul's life that Timothy followed may require us to continually return to these verses as we read 13 letters from Paul and the sections about Paul in the book of Acts. How is purpose, faith, love, patience, and endurance and more shown in the teaching and life of Paul? We need to read him and find out.

2. I am an also example of these categories.

As much as we can read the letters of Paul and ask questions about these categories in his life, people around us can display how they see these categories in our lives. I am convinced that we simply have a list of categories from Paul because they help us to assess our own example to others. If Timothy could so confidently know what he was following from Paul's example, I wonder what others might now about following our example. What defines our teaching? How might others define our way of life, our purpose, our love and patience and faith? How might others describe the way we handle persecution and suffering? what is the nature of our endurance?

If Paul were to have given us a full description of everything in these verses, we may not be prompted to be so reflective. But...reflective we must be. These categories help us to consider how Christ is being prominently lived out in our life as we point others to him in word and deed. They are the measuring criteria we all need.

I wonder if we could ever be as confident as Paul. Can you imagine talking to someone who lives in close contact with and asking, "If you followed how love looks like in my life, what would that look like?" Scary, huh?