Many years ago, I got to watch a lumberjack competition. This might have been during a family vacation to Minnesota, or an anniversary trip to Alaska (or both), but one sport that I remember was called “log-rolling”. The premise is pretty simple: two lumberjacks stand on a large log, which itself is floating in water (from the days when felled timber was sometimes transported by water), and each tries to make the log roll so that the other contestant falls off. The last one standing (and not in the water) wins.
Now, I admit that I’ve sometimes worked without a good foundation, whether stretching too far while standing on a ladder, or standing on something that wasn’t meant to support my weight. Let’s see what Paul said about a better foundation, though.
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
2 Timothy 2:19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.2.19.NIV
For those who listen to God’s truth, we have a solid foundation on which to stand, upon which we can build our lives. As the hymn says, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand / All other ground is sinking sand.” [My Hope is Built on Nothing Less | Hymnary.org]
Here in this passage, we find confidence that God knows who is part of His family (including the seal of the Holy Spirit, as a sort of down payment of our membership in that family). The first reference here appears to quote Numbers 16:5 [per Moss. p. 217], when God knew who was with Him and who was part of a rebellion against Him. Genuine followers of Jesus don’t need to worry that God forgot about them, even when they are being persecuted for their faith: God knows who His people are, and He knows who is opposing Him. Standing on this foundation provides us with the ability to speak from a position of God’s truth, to do good work for God’s kingdom without fear, and to help other people find the same solid footing.
We also find here a reminder to keep ourselves pure and separated from wickedness. As the NIV translates this verse, we might recognize turning away from wickedness as repentance, which is turning away from evil towards something else (i.e., the righteousness of God). However, I think that there’s also an element of holiness, since the NASB refers to keeping away from wickedness. In following Jesus, we must turn away from a life of sin, and avoid returning to those bad choices. This righteousness – this truth; this doctrine; this purity: this all helps keep us from disappointing God (including keeping us out of starting toxic conversations, mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:14-18 and discussed in recent articles).
The world we live in is a mess. God made it good, but as sinners, our collective sin has broken a lot of things and human sin brought a curse upon the earth. Don’t get discouraged, though. God planned and prepared even for our failures, and He gave us the truth as a beacon to guide us through the darkness. Let us keep our eyes on that truth, embodied in Jesus Christ, and – in repentance and holiness – we can bring more of that hope to a world that is drowning in sin and in its consequences.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for March 30, 2025
References:
- 1717 Bible Studies, 2 Timothy, © 2025 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1, 2 Timothy & Titus, by C. Michael Moss. © 1994 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 