2 Timothy 4:5
As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry. (AMP)
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Paul, an old soldier in the faith, is giving a final exhortation from prison to his spiritual son, Timothy, whom he has raised in the Lord. He tells Timothy to be someone who is even-keeled and able to accept hardship. He tells him to faithfully proclaim the good news of the kingdom and then to fulfill, or perform all the duties of his ministry.
Set in context, he tells Timothy to be this way, not because it's just the Christian standard of living, but because there will be a time coming when people will not want sound biblical teaching and people will waver from the truth and believe what they want to believe. So Paul tells Timothy these things because Timothy needs to be a solid example of a faithful servant of the Lord, in a time when people will be unfaithful.
I used to think Paul was talking about a future time, like a prophecy of sorts, describing 15 or 20 years into the future, and maybe he is. But more likely, I think he is teaching Timothy through his own experience. In the previous verses and chapters, Paul has talked about his own ministry and his own experiences. He's talked about people who once served alongside him, then left the church and the faith. So I think Paul is talking about a pattern in church. Even if a church begins with everyone on the same page, it can be said that people will eventually fall away.
So, he's telling Timothy from experience that the people in his own church will follow this same pattern. Because of this, his life needs to be a solid example and there are things he must do. Among them, are fulfilling ALL the duties of his ministry. There are so many times I feel like I only want to accomplish the things that I'm passionate about in ministry, or my life, but the Lord is clearly speaking through Paul to exhort Timothy to fulfill every single detail in the ministry he is called to. Again, Paul points to his life as an example; he's finished the race, he's fought the good fight, he's kept the faith, he's about to receive the crown of glory.
There may be things I don't want to do; maybe even things I feel "God hasn't called me to do," but that doesn't mean I shouldn't finish them. If I keep going with my mindset of only doing the things I feel I have time or passion for, I will not be able to get to the end of my life and honestly proclaim that I have finished the race well, like Paul.
Lord, put in my heart the desire to accomplish all you have purposed for me. All of it, every single thing. They are all important in your eyes; help me to see all things with the same importance you do. I ask that of you, and may I be faithful to fight against my desires to give up or pass it off as unimportant. May you be glorified in this life I have to live, in Jesus' name.
Do All Your Work
A God Bigger Than Faith
2 Kings 7:3-5
3 Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die?
4 If we say, 'Let us enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die."
5 So they arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there.
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These four men who had leprosy decided to do something, anything. Their only other option was to do nothing and just wait until they died. The famine in the land was so severe it would take a miracle to improve the situation. Elisha prophesies that such a miracle will take place overnight. These four lepers had no idea that their decision to just get up and go would save not only their lives but the entire city as well. I'm sure they thought they would never contribute to society in a meaningful way. They probably never figured they would be announcing good news to the city they weren't even allowed to enter and be a part of, but God fulfilled his word exactly as he promised, in a way that no one would have expected.
That's the thing with God, he always fulfills his word, and it usually always happens in a way that would never have been expected, through people who never would have been expected. God fulfilled his word of blessing all nations and redeeming his people in the most unexpected way also, by becoming human himself, living a perfect life, then faced torture and a humiliating death; and all of that accomplished his plan precisely. On top of that, Jesus raised up men and women who would continue his priestly and prophetic work, but they were people no one would have guessed. They weren't priests or religious leaders, they were ordinary citizens; fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, demon-possessed women - these are the people who left those identities and became heroes of faith.
Today God is still doing the exact same thing. He takes those who don't believe they'll do anything significant and he uses them to fulfill the things he's promised, exactly as he says. How do we get people to understand this? It's not about convincing them what's possible or reasonable, it's about getting people to see who God is; how big he is and how he always accomplishes his purposes. It doesn't matter who he uses or how he does it, it's about his plan and his will - we just believe, and if he uses us (and he will), we carry out his plan with thanksgiving.
It shows just how in control God really is. If God always used amazing, skilled, totally gifted people, it would be hard to trust that he has a plan and is faithful to it. But God is in control to a degree that we can't comprehend, and that's awesome. Our lives require faith, but it's faith in a God that is so much bigger than our faith. It's not a lot of faith that we need to acquire. We tend to think we just need more faith, more faith, but really it's just a bigger realization on who God is and how big he is.
Smiley Paul
Paul mentions 36 names in the last chapter of Romans (ch.16). But he is referring to even more, since he mentions "households" and "families" and the apostles. Beyond these 36 people and their families, Paul also knew many others personally. The guy planted churches all across the Roman empire and yet he still knew many people by name, in a personal way. He had been imprisoned with some of them. Some of them had opened their home to him. Some taught with him. Some worked with him.
Paul really knew what it meant to be part of the family of God. In all the paintings I've seen of the apostle, he's always lecturing or writing letters in prison or being blinded by Jesus at his conversion. In the paintings he's always so serious. He's traditionally viewed as a strict preacher type. But just looking at this list of names of the people he knew well, it's so obvious that he must've been the kind of guy everyone would want to hang out with. It's like Jesus in a way; Jesus had to have been that kind of person where it just felt good to be around him. Paul had that quality too.
It's something I think God wants all his children to have, a magnetic personality. It doesn't matter whether you're traditionally extroverted or introverted, because the Spirit of God is living and active within the Christian. Do we really think that the Spirit of God is just a boring professor-type? No way! Boring professors are cool and all, but the Holy Spirit of God is loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled. If that list described your best friend, chances are that person is friends with tons of people!
And yet, it's not just a happy-go-lucky type of person. Paul was a smart, very focused person. He had just a few goals in life, but they were huge, very important goals. He was committed to God and the gospel, to his calling and the glory of God. This is how he closes out his letter:
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." (25-27)
Paul was probably a really fun guy. A deep thinker. Loving. Harsh. A worshiper. Focused. Committed. Passionate. He had the big picture in mind. As Christians, we need to strive to be the kind of person that everyone likes to be around. It's not enough to just stay how we are and pull that "Well, that's just the way I am and you can't expect me to change" garbage. I think it's totally Scriptural that God does expect us to change. And if we aren't willing to be like Jesus, if that's not one of our desires, what are we doing calling ourselves his followers?
Father, you've taken me so far from where I used to be; who I used to be. Continue to change me for the better, because it's all worth it, and you're worth it.
DCAF
Romans 15:5-7
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
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Paul has just finished a discourse on why it is so important to live with others in mind, and why those who are strong in faith should not cause those who are weaker or newer to stumble - because Christ did not live to please himself, but rather chose to live a life where he bore the reproaches of others.
Those who are strong in faith live by hope, and according to Romans 15, verse 4, hope comes by encouragement from one another, and what was written in Scripture.
Then comes the exhortation of verses 5-7; it's a cry to be the church and show the world that God is glorious. As a part of New Hope, I hear about team building and teamwork and doing church as a team almost every day. Paul says that living in harmony with one another, united in Christ, with one common cause - glorifying God the Father and his Son, through his Spirit, should be welcoming and gracious toward each other, and all for the glory of God.
There are so many times when it seems right to break from the team, or to disagree and push for my own way, or to not do something with all my effort and heart. But the point is not to do things my way, it's to do things for others because that's what Jesus did, and his example beyond any other is worthy of imitating. When we imitate him, we glorify him. And Christ is most glorified when the church, his body, his bride; a family of believers are in harmony and striving to bring glory to God with "one voice," in unison.
When people see the church they should see something like a beautiful chorus of singers in harmony and unison. Sometimes I wonder if the world sees the church and feels like they're watching a pre-school chorus where everyone's off-key and not everyone knows the song and some people are in la-la land digging their nose, but it's cute to watch because everyone seems so innocent and has no idea what it's like to really live in the real world.
The church is God's family. If we are adopted sons of God, we are like brothers and sisters to Jesus, who is also our Lord. Doing church as a family should be the most awesome thing people in the world see. It should freak them out and blow their minds. It should be something that people see and aspire to be, not shun, reject, and criticize.
O God, guide me into making this a reality in my life first, so that it's not just something I talk about. Show us how to see each other as family, treat each other as such, and then live a life that is an amazing light to the world.
Imitating Christ
Proverbs 23:26
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
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This proverb may not necessarily be addressing a literal son-father relationship, but the principle remains. A son/daughter should give their heart to their father/mother, meaning they should be open and willing to receive instruction from the godly parent who loves and cares for them.
On the other end, a parent should desire the hearts of their children, and they must be willing to live a life where they can say with integrity, “Observe my ways.” That word “observe” has the connotation of observing and delighting in what is seen. This is a huge responsibility for parents!
My son is at an age where he is learning how to behave by mimicking the things he observes. He spends most of his time with us, his parents, and so most of the things he mimics comes directly from what he observes us doing. He should observe my actions and be glad in what he sees, not be conflicted or troubled.
As a father, Proverbs tells me that one of my central focuses and joys in my life should be the very heart of my own children, their spiritual core, and guiding them in the way I know to be holy and righteous. This knowledge can only come from God (Proverbs 1:7 - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”), and I need to be meeting with the Lord daily and submitting to him, imitating him and his own heart. I can’t imitate what I don’t observe.
This puts a different spin on why daily devotions is so important. It goes far beyond doing it because it’s the New Hope thing to do, or because it’s a classical discipline, or because it’s just the good Christian thing to do; my goal in life is to mimic, emulate, and imitate Jesus Christ. If my son didn’t see me every day, he wouldn’t have a model to imitate. Likewise, if I do not make it a daily necessity to observe the Lord and imitate his heart, I cannot pass that on to my children.
I do not want to get to the end of my life and regret that I failed them in the most important task I was entrusted with as a parent. I desire my children to be like the Lord. And it will first come in them imitating me. I need to set this as priority #1.
It also goes beyond parenting. Everyone who sees me observes me, whether I’m in a coffee shop, in the pulpit, at the beach, at a restaurant, wherever. Anywhere I am, people should not have a cause to say that Jesus is misrepresented, because I should be imitating him as a lifestyle; not as a religious practice.
Mature Desire
Proverbs 19:2
Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
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It is not wise to be hasty. Our culture is full of people who have lots of desire, but knowledge is often lacking. It's common in our culture to just go with the flow, or to just figure it out along the way, to not have a plan or not know what's coming up next. The Bible calls this "not good."
On the other end, there are people with lots of knowledge but not much desire. They plan and may not be hasty, but they sure are boring.
The Scripture probably isn't talking about the latter, but there is some truth to it. But the main point is that desire needs knowledge in order to be good. In our culture this is dangerous in many ways. Love is a powerful thing and our culture loves to pair love and youth, sometimes it seems like the two are exclusive. But young love is heavy weighted on desire, but not much knowledge, or foresight, or planning.
This Scripture especially speaks to me. Most of my life has been desire without knowledge. Most of my life has been haste caused by procrastination. So many times, even to this day I have "missed my way."
Desire may not be a bad thing, but in order to have a matured, wise desire, it requires knowledge; and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).
