READY TO GIVE A REASON

 

As a follower of Christ, I should know what I believe and why I believe it. Consequently, it is to produce a living hope in me.  The Christian faith is such, that it changes us in tangible ways and we must long to share that reality so it can impact others, as well.

Peter speaks to OUR DEVOTION, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”. The sharing of our faith with others is foremost a matter of obedience. We have been commanded to witness to Christ by the Lord God Himself.  We are set apart to shine as lights in the darkness of this world.  Our love for God is the foundation of our love for others.

The Apostle then points to OUR DECLARATION, “and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”  There should be something so different about us—a hope so profound—that others recognize it and ask about it. Sharing Jesus does not require beating someone’s door down to do so, but they may beat a path to our door to discover why we can face the challenges of life with a radiant peace and joy.  Those in the world should see that we have something they don’t have and something they need. This is being the salt of the earth; salt makes you thirsty.  It creates a thirst for God in others.

Then, Peter indicates OUR DISPOSITION, “with meekness and fear.”  Meekness is not weakness. It is a disposition of humility. We do not talk down to sinners, for we recognize apart from the grace of God we would still be in the same state.  An attitude of smug sanctimony is not attractive, but repulsive. Someone has defined witnessing as one beggar tell another beggar where to find bread.  The fear of which Peter speaks is not the fear of man—that is what often paralyzes our vocal cords. Rather, it is the fear of God—our reverence for His authority and purity—knowing we will give account to Him concerning whether we seize opportunity or shirk responsibility. Hell is real—and family and friends are going there without Christ. That should move us to speak to them about the only source of salvation.

Having a visible devotion and proper disposition makes our witness credible. Giving a ready declaration makes our faith comprehensible. All these elements are essential for sharing the hope of Christ to a hopeless world.

PATIENCE, PAIN, PERSEVERANCE, AND PRODUCTIVITY

 

The earth has warmed and it is time to put in the garden. We labor as we till the soil, stoop to sow, with weeding to come.  Sore muscles and an aching back may attend our efforts, and for what?  Nothing, then a little shoot—and more work. It is not a process that can be hastened. Yet, when in the fall, should God bless with the proper amount of sun and showers, the harvest can be gathered.

James stresses this as he speaks of the harvest and the hope we have of the final gathering of the saints in God’s granary in glory at the end of the age.  Note the words, “patient,” “waits,” “waiting patiently,” “be patient,” “Establish your hearts,” “endure,” “perseverance.”

Stephen Olford made this observation:

Was it not Hudson Taylor who told a young candidate for the mission field that there were three very important lessons to learn in God's work? The first was patience; the second was patience; and the third was patience. 

Paul says that tribulation works patience. This was undoubtedly true in Job's case. He certainly suffered affliction! And so did many prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

Lord, if I should have to pass by way of tribulation, I do pray that I may learn the lesson of patience.  (According to Your Word, p.221). 

As we do Gospel work, we must be cautious not to merely seek “decisions,” though we certainly desire and pray for fruit. We may share the Gospel and there is immediate receptivity. Yet, in many instances, the labor will be long and patience is required. Some fields are more labor intensive and can test our resolve.  Our job is to persevere through the pain of criticism, opposition, defection, disappointment, and so forth. Trust the Holy Spirit to do His work, as we do ours!  God sent the early rain at Pentecost and there have been intermittent showers.  Revelation promises the latter rain and a harvest from every nation—a great blood-washed throng!

A caution that James gives, “Do not grumble against one another.”  One of the issues we find on the mission field is that the difficulties faced breed impatience not only with the results, but fellow missionaries. When we are dealing with disappointment at the lack of visible results—as Satan is fighting us tooth and claw—it is easy to be short tempered and divisive. Many missionaries walk away at this point and never return to the field.

THE ROYAL LAW

 

A group of us are to fly to Vermont this morning where God has planted a church and is making inroads with the Gospel. Seed has been sown in a spiritually harsh climate. We want to see where God is working and join Him in that work. Only one thing should motivate us—the royal law of love!  It is our love for God and those made in His image that compels us to spend time and money to see sinners saved and saints strengthened.

In Stephen Olford’s excellent devotional book, “According to Your Word,” he writes:

“Fulfill the royal law.” – James 2:8 

The royal law is defined thus: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself ” (v. 8). And it is the command that the Lord Jesus pointed out as including all other commandments. Of course, this command implies love to God first, and then love to man. James points out that the fulfilling of it is the hallmark of kingship or royalty. So that if I am a genuine king and priest to God, I am one who fulfills this command. He goes further to explain that he who shows partiality and who breaks this royal law commits sin. “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34); so why should we? Whether poor or rich, they should be loved, honored, and recognized without partiality. 

No wonder the Lord Jesus was the Friend of Sinners! 

Teach me to love others as You love me, Lord. (p.219). 

FACING LIONS WITHOUT FEAR

 

Satan is pictured as a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). We may be sure that his offspring—lions and lionesses, often in the church—will lurk, ready to pounce. Paul spoke of such here, and God’s servants will face them. You may hear their roar, smell the stench of their breath, and even feel the pain of their fangs clamping down on you and claws leaving you bleeding. Yet, Paul tells us that we can face these lions without fear.

We can STAND for the Lord stands with us. Get your eyes off the lion and look to the Lord.  Ravenous beasts are no match for Jesus Christ!  He is the Creator and Conqueror and since He is with us, we don’t have to flee in fear. He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Nehemiah was threatened and answered, “Should such a man as I flee?”  Stand your ground.

We are STRONG for our strength is from the Omnipotent. The power of the Spirit indwells us.  While in myself, I am weak—in His strength I am more than sufficient to overcome my adversaries.  They whimper and slink into the shadows when the Lion of Judah, King of the jungle of this world roars!

We are SECURE since none can truly harm us.  What is the worst an enemy might do—kill us?  But, our times are in God’s hands. He numbers our days and when He is through with us, by whatever means He sovereignty selects, He will take us home. Paul was spared from the lion before, but soon would lose his head!  Yet, He was secure in knowing that would only deliver him to glory and the greatest gain of all!  As Luther sang, “the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!”

You can face the lion without fear!

THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

Who runs the church?  Is it a pastor, or maybe the elders, or perhaps the deacons, or some combination—who is in charge?

It better be Jesus!  He is “the head of His body, the church.”  Now, many local congregations may not behave accordingly, but in so doing they are in rebellion against God!

There would be no church without Him. His resurrection as “the firstborn from the dead,” birthed the church in His atoning work through the crucifixion and resurrection. Now, He claims absolute authority, “that in everything he might be preeminent.”

I heard the story of an old African chieftain.  He sat before his hut, bent over, weariness on his face, skin wrinkled from advanced age.  One of the strong young warriors came up to him and challenged him, “It is time for you to step aside. We need a man of strength to lead  this tribe. What gives you the right to rule over us?”  The elderly man answered, “There was a time you do not remember, for your father was a child. A lion came into the village. He would have killed many, including your father. I thrust my arms into the lion’s mouth, broke his jaws, and killed it with my bare hands. Then raising himself up, his voice resounding with authority, he lifted his arms to reveal many scars from battling the beast, and said, “By my wounds I demand the right to rule over you!”

So, Jesus lifts His hands, shows the scars from His battle on Calvary, and says, “By my wounds I demand the right to rule over you!”  Surely as a preacher, and as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will submit to Him who saved us by His sacrifice!

THE FIRM FOUNDATION OF FAITH

The old hymn begins, 

    How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord 

    Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.

That firm foundation of faith is featured in Acts 4. There are several facets of faith that we see. 

FIRST, WE SEE A CONFESSIONAL FAITH (v.1-22). We have the confession of Peter and John. There are core convictions that Christianity has which are compelled to be communicated. Such terms as, “speaking,” (v.1), “teaching…proclaiming,” (v.2), and “the word,”  (v.4). As a result of the preaching, faith was formed in “about five thousand.”  The core message is Christ—“the name of Jesus…crucified, whom God raised from the dead,” (v.10). He is “the cornerstone” of faith (v.11) and the Gospel message declares, “there is no other name…by which we must be saved” (v.12). That confession is a must for true faith (Rom.10:9-10, 13). The Spirit bears witness to Christ through His church (v.8) compelling us to confess Christ, “for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard,” (v.20). 

FURTHER, WE SEE A COURAGEOUS FAITH (v.23-31). This courage is required because of the conflict. Proclaiming the Gospel is an assault on the kingdom of darkness. The devil and his minions will fight back, and so we note, “they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus,” (v.18). Such threats and rage had been predicted by David, writing Ps.2 quoted here (v.25-26). But, the kings of the earth are no match for the King of  Eternity!  The “Sovereign Lord” ( v.24), even uses the wicked to work His will (v.27), “to do whatever [God’s] hand and [God’s] plan has predestined to take place.”  The church’s prayer was not for the removal of conflict, but for the reinforcement of courage, “to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” (v.29). Such prayers will shake the world and send us out to speak boldly (v.31). 

FINALLY, WE SEE A COMMON FAITH (v.32-37). Now, by that, I do not mean the faith is cheap and ordinary, but that it is faith all believers have in common. This calls us to do life together in community (v.32). Such common faith produces uncommon fruit—“great power,” and “great grace,” (v.33), inspiring testimony and generosity (v.34-35).

THE DISCIPLINES OF OUR FAITH

 

Hall of Fame coach, the late Vince Lombardi ,would begin every training camp with this statement, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”  Then, he would drill them in the fundamentals over and over.  These were professional athletes who had played football most of their lives. They were not going to win because they learned something new, but because they reinforced what they already knew.  That’s what makes a winning team. 

It is also what makes a championship church.  So many churches are looking for the latest fad and innovative method—a quick fix to take them to the next level.  

I am all about creativity and innovation, but we also must be aware that God never changes, His Word never changes, and there are some fundamentals of our faith that dare not change.  I am going to coach you in six disciplines this week that God will bless, in your walk with Him, in your family, and in the church. 

GOD IN FLESH

The mystery of godliness—God manifested in the flesh—made me think of these words by C.S. Lewis in “Mere Christianity”:

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

A CHALLENGE TO THE MEMBERS

I commenced this message with a charge to the elders, and now I want to conclude with a challenge to the members.  

First stand faithful with your leaders (v.9-15). 

“Make every effort to come to me soon, because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his works. Watch out for him yourself because he strongly opposed our words.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:9-15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Paul’s words are heartbreaking. There were many who abandoned him and others who abused him. I have been glad to watch people join the church, but I have grieved over those who have deserted the church.  Each is a small cut, and a pastor bleeds a slow torture each time. Other members, like Alexander the coppersmith, do great harm—and oppose the Lord’s word. Don’t be one of those!  

Stand faithful and stay focused on your Lord (v.16-18). 

“At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:16-18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The ultimate focus of Paul was not the men who deserted him, but the Lord who stood with him.  He lived for another world—a pilgrim on a journey to the heavenly kingdom. His focus was on the glory of God.  Look up!

Then, seek fellowship in Christian love (v.19-22). 

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus has remained at Corinth; I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:19-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Having a focus on Christ does not negate having fellowship with Christians. The church is His body. That fellowship is essential! There is urgency, the Apostle expresses, “come before winter.”  He wanted his cloak and his Scriptures (4:13)—the cloak to warm his skin and Word to warm his soul!  

What are you doing as a member of the fellowship to show love to your pastors and the people?  Are you connected to a fellowship now, where you can receive ministry from the Body?

COMMITMENT TO THE END

The Apostle’s commitment will be to the end, sealed in his own blood.  Here is his swan song—Paul’s last will and testament.

There are reflections on the past (v.7). 3 times, he reflects, “I have.”  Paul speaks as the soldier when he says, “I have fought the good fight.”  The old Gospel general has taken many a wound in his war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  He has faithfully worn the whole armor of God and wielded the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. Now, he will lay his armor aside and head for home.  The battle is over and victory has been won!  Paul speaks as a sportsman when he claims, “I have finished the race.”  It has been a marathon—a grueling race of endurance with many hurdles to clear, but now the finish line is in sight and he is sprinting to the tape.  The race is over and victory has been won!  Paul speaks as a steward when he asserts, “I have kept the faith.”  In his time, a steward was a household slave entrusted with his master’s possessions.  He was to manage them and invest them wisely, caring for the household. Paul had been entrusted with the faith—the body of Christian truth (ref. 2 Tim.1:11-14). The work is over and the reward has been won!  God help us to have this testimony in the end.  

Also, we hear a readiness in the present (v.6). Paul’s mind runs to his Jewish roots for an illustration—the pouring out of a drink offering on the altar as an act of worship.  His entire ministry had been a pouring out of his life for Jesus, the church, and lost humanity. The time for his departure from this world is close and he is not dreading it, but delighted in it!  Departure is a nautical term for boarding the ship, raising the anchor, and setting sail. Paul was boarding the Old Ship of Zion for a voyage to golden shores!

Thus, there was rejoicing in the prospects (v.😎. If we bear the cross, we will gain the crown!  Notice the reward is reserved for “that day”—the appearing of Jesus the second time. You don’t get the reward when you die, or you will get short-changed. Our influence lives on!  Only when time is no more will the final results be in and full reward be given. Not just for Paul, not just for preachers,  but “to all those who have loved his appearing.”  Do you love His appearing?  Are you looking up? Looking for Jesus? Living with expectancy and urgency?  Those who are most heavenly minded do the most earthly good.  Look up!  Live for eternity!

A CHARGE TO THE ELDERS

John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”  It is true in all dimensions of life—including the church and the elders who lead it. 

Elders are to exalt the Master (v.1). While they have a duty to the members, their ultimate reckoning is to God. It is a charge that is solemn and sobering for which they will answer to God, and stand before Christ Jesus in judgment. The work is of eternal significance. Therefore, church elders face stricter scrutiny at the Judgment Seat.  They must realize , it is about God’s kingdom and not building their own!  How is it built?

Elders are charged to expound the message (v.2-4). There are many tasks for the elders, but the high calling is to preach the Word.  Elders cannot let church activity crowd out spiritual preparation. To speak for God, first you must hear from Him.  Then, elders can stand with a Bible in their hand and speak with the authority of heaven at their back.  We live in a day, when congregations increasingly demand for preachers to tickle their ears by telling them what they want to hear.  Never let that happen in your church!

  Elders must also exhibit the ministry (v.5). Beyond what your lips say is what your life shows. The character of the elder is to be one of moral purity as they exercise self-control. The commitment of the elder is to be one of endurance and effort. He is to have a heart for souls.  His ministry is Gospel-driven and his message is Gospel-centered.  The elders are not the exclusive soul-winners, but are to set the example as soul-winners. Blessed is the church that has such leaders!

LOOK UP!

The dungeon was dark and damp.  Rodents raced across the floor and fleas gnawed at the flesh. The smell of sweat and urine hung heavy in the air.  The sound of men cursing and crying reverberated off the stone walls. Soon, there would be other sounds—iron soled boots echoing as soldiers marched down the corridor, the clanging of a key turning a lock, the squealing of a heavy iron door swinging on rusty hinges, and the brusk command, “Come with me.”  The old preacher would have his head laid on the chopping block, the sharp sword of the executioner would fall—head one way, body another, soul another—and Paul, the Apostle would be set free from this sinful world and be welcomed into glory.  Knowing his time was short, he penned these final words.  

By no means, do I count myself worthy to be named in the same sentence as that champion of faith, but I can share his words that are so fitting in the times we live. God wiling, that is our planned course of study for the week—Paul’s final days in these final days of 2020.  My call to you is to “Look up!”

CONFIDENCE IN THE WORD OF GOD

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, “All  Scripture is inspired by God,” (2 Timothy 3:16a). Literally, it is “God breathed.”  As God breathed into Adam and made Him a living soul, He breathed into His prophets during the Old Testament era and His apostles in the New Testament age, so that what they wrote is a supernatural Book, filled with miraculous power. 

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, and in the profit of the Word, “and is profitable” (v.16b).  It is profitable for doctrine, “teaching.”  Our beliefs are based on the Bible. It is profitable for discipline, “rebuking.”  Our rebellious nature must be broken—and Scripture chastens us. It is profitable for direction, “correcting.”  It gives light for our path to correct our wandering tendency and direct us from the path of sin and onto the path of sanctification. It is profitable for dedication, “for training in righteousness.”  D.L. Moody put it, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”  

We can be confident in the perfection, profit, and purpose of the Word, “so that the man of God may be” (v.17). The purpose of the Word is to make us “complete,”—that is, spiritually mature; capable, “equipped,”—trained for the task; committed, “for every good work”—and this is real success as God sees it.

THE WEAPON WE MUST WIELD

The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.  This is how Jesus conquered Satan, and so must we with, “It is written!”  

This mighty weapon must be wielded with endurance.  Paul stresses endurance in 2 Timothy 3:10-11, and the need to “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed” (v.14). This is my call to you—“Keep true!”  

It is a fight to the finish.  In those days of soldiers engaged in hand to hand combat, endurance was demanded. This is true spiritually. How many have we seen who wearied of the fight, wounded in the battle, and finally have thrown down the sword in surrender to the enemy! 

This world is not a playground, it is a battleground!  The enemy is strong and on the march. Persecution is likely to become an increasing reality.  Paul mentions it in verse 11 twice and again in verse 12. We have known a period of protection in America and the church has become flabby and soft.  I heard a preacher, Stuart Briscoe, talking about the difference between our churches and other churches in places across the ocean that suffer persecution. I paraphrase, “In the west, we face problems and cry, ‘O God, take these burdens off my back.’ And in the east they pray, “O God, make my back strong to bear these burdens.”  The period of protection eventually yields to a period of persecution. The world is not going to get better (v.13). Those of us who are saved will endure. The seed of Scripture has brought us faith in Jesus—and that is eternal life (v.14-15).

THE SUBTLETY OF THE WAYWARD

 

The devil is a roaring lion seeking to strike fear into his prey, but is also a sneaky snake that crawls in and waits in the darkness before injecting its fangs of false doctrine into the victim. This is how the serpent attacked Eve—first to doubt the accuracy of the Word of God with a question, “Did God really say?” and then to deny the authority of the Word of God with a contradiction, “No!  You will not die...” (Gen.3:1,4). 

In the prior letter, Paul set the order for the church—that men were responsible to be elders and teach doctrine in the church (1 Tim.2:11-15). The culture is increasingly feminized—masculinity is under attack—and this spirit is growing in the church in the name of equality. 

Of course, there is equality of dignity among men and women.  Neither sex is to be valued above the other. Yet, while there is no difference in dignity and worth, there is a difference in duty and work. We have different roles. The elders of the church are to be men who are the gatekeepers of sound doctrine while the women are to be the homemakers of young disciples. Women have a different role in the church and men have a different role in the home—neither less essential, but not identical.  

The warning here is to beware counterfeits like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses with their fake miracles (Ex.7:10-13).  Such frauds exist in Christendom today—offering the promise of miracles—bait that is wrapped around the poison of heresy.  We ignore this uncomfortable teaching to our own peril.

THE FOES WE MUST FACE

In 2 Timothy 3:1-9,  the Apostle Paul warns that hard times are coming. I believe that for us they are right around the corner. I pray I am wrong, but I am persuaded that I am right. 

We face a foe that is mostly overt and one that is more covert. One foe we face is the more obvious: the hostility of the world. Watch the news on TV.  Go out into public. What Paul describes in verses 1-5, might as well be America in the 21st century. 

Rather than loving people and using money, we will love money and use people as lovers of self and lovers of money. Arrogance will be apparent as we are boastful, proud, demeaning—which marks the attitude of our elite that seek to dominate us today. There is disrespect of authority, beginning in the home, “disobedient to parents,” and such defiance at home breeds disregard of heaven, “ungrateful, unholy...”—rejecting our earthly fathers, translating into rejection of the Eternal Father. There follows despising His rule and throwing off moral restraint (v.3-5). Religion will be present, but an empty shell—mere ritual with deadening effect. 

This leads from the hostility of the world, which is overt to that which is covert—the subtlety of the wayward—and that will be our topic for tomorrow, God willing.

KEEP TRUE

 

This week we celebrate Christmas—the coming of Christ into our world. But, He was not welcome. He entered the world in a stable and was executed with three spikes.  John says, “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”(John 1:11). In judging Him unworthy to be their King, Israel brought judgment upon themselves. That is the course our country is following. 

America is in a perilous position. The nation has faced many assaults in the past. Two weeks ago, on December 7, we were reminded of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that launched us into World War 2. Now, another attack has come again from Asia—an unseen enemy.  

As physically deadly as COVID-19 can be to some, what has happened in our response is to jeopardize, “the land of the free and home of the brave.”  Growing government tyranny and the attack on cherished freedoms such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to bear arms, along with the decline of our economy through lockdowns, while embracing the butchering of babies in the womb and parading of perversion in the streets is more frightening.  I don’t take this virus lightly. I could die from it. But, the virus of sin is worse!  Jesus said, “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

How will the church respond to living in a hostile world?  The encouragement is that the church in its infancy grew and flourished in a pagan culture where they were hated and hurt.  So, may we.  Jesus promised that His church would march to victory and the gates of hell would not be able to withstand her. Paul was in bonds, but the Gospel was not bound (2:9). He was leading prison guards and prisoners to faith, and some of those soldiers would wind up as Imperial guards and witness to those of Caesar’s household!  He was penning powerful words that are still changing lives today. May God help us keep true!

BE STRONG IN SUFFERING

 

Paul underscores suffering here (v.9).  At the center of the Christian faith stands a cross. Jesus summons us to come and die.  Yet, the great paradox is that in dying, we live (v.11)!

Weigh, the standard of suffering (v.8-9). “Remember Jesus Christ” as the supreme standard of suffering. He never asks us to go where He has not been. Paul was following in His Master’s steps up the Calvary Road. Even as Christ by His death conquered the power of death, Paul’s chains did not bind the Gospel, but liberated it. No grave could confine Christ and no prison can shackle the Gospel!  

So, we are called to the sharing of suffering (v.10-13).  Our vital union with Christ is underscored by the thrice repeated phrase, “with him.”  It is in union with Christ that we have His might to enable us.  So, here is the sequence: first, the cross and then the crown; first, pain and then the prize; first travail and then triumph!  The faithfulness of Christ within you, will keep you faithful.

THE REAL DEAL

I would assume that virtually all people who read these words profess a belief in God, and even claim to be Christians. But, I may claim to be Superman.  I might even be sincere in that conviction. Yet, If I try to fly off a skyscraper or stop a speeding train by standing in front of it, the reality will be much different. 

The results of such mistaken identity would bring my physical demise, yet pale in comparison to the horror of thinking oneself heaven bound and ending up in hell!  That thought is not meant to raise doubt and fear in a tender heart that is sometimes prone to insecurity about salvation. There are those who worry needlessly.  It is an area where the Devil, who is a liar, periodically attacks those who have cast themselves upon Jesus for salvation.

Timothy had done that. Paul speaks of his utter assurance that the young man had a sincere faith—the real deal. Yet, the fact the Apostle brings it up, and almost in the next breathe underscores, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,” would suggest Timothy struggled here. 

Still, Satan lies to another group whom he assures that they are saved when they are not. They may have had some experience—even an emotional one—in the past, but there is no evidence of genuine faith in the present. 

A misunderstood doctrine comes into play here—the perseverance of the saints. Some mischaracterize it with a sneer and point to those who have departed their prior belief as evidence one may be born again and then unborn.  At the opposite end of the spectrum there are those who rest in a prior “decision” who demonstrate no reality now. The doctrine is that if one is truly converted, then God gives them grace not only to save them, but sustain them and secure them. They may waver, wobble, wander, wonder, but God’s grace will keep them, even if He must discipline them. In the end they do not fall away, but stay faithful.

Phygelus and Hermogenes, as well as a number of others, had departed from Christ and the church. A promising beginning apparently brought a disappointing ending (2 Tim.1:15). Yet, in contrast here is a man, Onesiphorus, that sought Paul, stuck with him, and manifested he was the real deal (v.16-18). Paul prays (with every expectation) that he and his family will persevere and experience God’s mercy at the Day of Judgment. 

We hold on to God for He holds on to us. “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day” (v.12b). 

Are you the real deal?

HOLD ON: BY GRIPPING THE TRUTH

 

Paul is saying to this young preacher boy to get an unbreakable grip on the truth—sound doctrine and systematic theology.  

Greek scholar, Kenneth Wuest said of this, “Particular words are to be retained and used so that the doctrinal statements of the truth may remain accurate and a norm for future teachers and preachers.”  

Do you have a grip on the meaning of words like, “justification, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification,” and what do you believe about the nature of God, the work of Christ, the person of the Spirit, the authority of Scripture, the mission of the church, and so forth?  

Paul names two among many who had broken his heart by failing to grip the truth and departing the faith: “Phygelus and Hermogenes” (v.15). Yet, there was another named who retained his grip on the truth and blessed Paul’s heart, “Onesiphorus” (v.16-18). Nothing so refreshes a preacher as to see those who serve diligently!  To look on the fruit of our labor and see them flourishing is a refreshing reward.  The former is to be condemned and the latter commended.

Will you be one that lets go and slips away or one who holds on and stays true?