Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to Timothy from one of the most unlikely of all places – prison. He began the letter or epistle by telling Timothy that he loved him as a son and then he began telling him to “stir up” the gift of God which was in him and Paul reminded him that GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.
Paul then told Timothy that he should not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, nor should he be ashamed of Paul. He implored Timothy to share in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God just as Paul was suffering.
Paul went on to tell him to be loyal to the faith and to be strong in grace. This entailed enduring hardship as a good soldier of Christ. He said: No one ENGAGED IN WARFARE entangles himself with the affairs of this life.
Hmmm . . . So as we read this today, what hardships do you suppose the modern day man and woman of God find themselves entangled?
The answer lies in this verse in 2 Tim: But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Turn away from such as these!
Reading this is scary-prophetic of the times in which we live, and it emphasizes what we as believers must do. It begins with the gospel: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. So that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
Then according to Paul we are to preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. He then makes his power statement: Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Do you have a spirit of fear? Or do you have one of power and of love and of a sound mind?
So many today simply refuse to use their power, love, and sound mind to obey God and share their Christian belief system with others.
Why do you suppose that folks refuse to share? I believe in part it is political correctness and fear of being ridiculed, ostracized, and separated from the rest of the herd. Most don’t want to be in that spotlight and are seemingly more concerned about what their peers think of them than Almighty God. Just remember those sufferings are a far cry from what was happening to Paul and the other disciples who were being imprisoned, stoned, caned, lashed, beaten, and martyred for sharing the gospel.
Make no mistake what happened to the disciples will come to the United States and is already happening all over the globe, but for now we have it comparatively easy.
As for me and my household I join Paul and say that we need to break away from the herd and stand up for Jesus, and yes it might even involve some minor suffering on behalf of our Lord.
Bah – who cares what they think? It is what Jesus thinks that matters most to me!
Paul knew that his battle would not end well, but the war would be won. I share that with Paul. The Bible makes it exceedingly clear that Satan will gain in the short term, but will be chained in the absolute bottom pit in hell forever at the end of this age. Don’t let him take you down with him…Fight the good fight!
2 Tim. 4:7
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
July 5 2016 – Click here to listen