8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. 9-10 But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 

11-13 The saying is trustworthy, for: 'If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself.' 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 2 Timothy 2:8-14 English Standard Version

In vs 8 Paul speaks of what he calls 'my gospel'. Is that presumptuous of him? Could he be accused of shaping the gospel message for his own ends? I think the answer is in the same verse. What had the gospel Paul preached resulted in?

He had been criminalized by the authorities and imprisoned, and was facing a death sentence. So the gospel he preached wasn’t for his own advantage. He wasn't making a name for himself or using the gospel to rake in money – as many have done since. What was it then that motivated Paul to keep going under such difficult circumstances? (vs 9-10)

He clung to the message that had saved him, and kept preaching it for the sake of those who God was saving out of the world. He was looking to the glory of Christ's return and the eternal life in the new heavens and earth that God's people will enjoy. He was willing to endure the suffering that preaching this message could bring.

So the phrase 'my gospel' refers not to something Paul had invented, but something he had personally embraced for himself. It was the message by which he had become a Christian and was saved. And what was true of Paul is just as vital for us. Has the gospel message become personal to you and me? Can we say with full conviction that we believe Jesus Christ was born in the line of David, died for sinners, rose again and ascended to the Father? Do we believe He will return one day? Have we taken these truths to heart for our self? Is the gospel personal to us? Why are these questions so important? (vs 11-13)

Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) The gospel calls us to die to self and to make Jesus Christ the centre of our life and being. But it isn't a decision we make one day, but then reject if living for Jesus suddenly leads to fierce opposition from others. Like Paul, we are called to endure! We are called to put up with hardships that come and to press on day by day. And if we fail to do that, it doesn't make the gospel false - the message of Jesus will still be true through all eternity.

Notice that while Paul spoke of 'my gospel', it was also a message that others had believed and preached. Certain sayings were already being passed down from older Christians to younger ones which Paul said were 'worthy of their trust'. So the gospel is something that is objective. It is outside of our self. But it becomes personal the moment we, in faith, place our hope of forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus.

No wonder then that Paul urges Timothy to remind the Church of these important truths. (vs 14) The reason is that there were already people who were sowing seeds of doubt by arguing over aspects of the gospel. God willing I will look more at that as we look at the verses that follow. But for now, is it the joy of your heart to speak of the gospel that saved you? Is it a message you long to share with others?