I am Persuaded

If you grew up with a hymn-book similar to mine, you are familiar with 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” I sang this song so much as a young man, when I read this verse, I usually say, “I know whom I have be-lie-ved…” playing pronunciation gymnastics to make it fit the tune. But what a glorious verse and no wonder the hymn writer, Daniel Whittle took up this theme. 

I know whom I have believed. Paul suffered for the gospel because he knew whom he believed. Not “what” he believed, but in “whom”. The object of the believer’s faith is the person of Jesus Christ. Paul knew him. He knew him savingly. He knows Christ is faithful. He knows Jesus is true. He knows the Lord is wise. He knows Jesus saves to the uttermost.

Because our faith is in the perfect person of Jesus Christ, I am persuaded he is good to his word. Faith includes not only belief but assent to that belief. Knowing Jesus lived and died is a historical fact. But you also must have affiance to the truth. It's having confidence and being persuaded with the truth. Many know Jesus died and rose from the dead, but don't care. A person persuaded that Christ is able to save is one who repents, humbles themselves before God, obeys the Lord, and loves Him with all of their heart. A persuaded person acts on their true faith and is persuaded of the facts.

Since Paul knows Christ, he know Jesus can keep his soul which he has committed to him unto the last day. Paul’s soul is anchored to the Rock. Christ is able to do what he promised. Jesus is able to save, to cleanse from sin, to keep unto the last day, to raise up this mortal body and change it to a glorified body.  The Lord Jesus is able to do all that he promised, so he is trustworthy to believe in and follow after.

When facing persecution, hardships, tribulations, and struggles in serving Christ, the Christian can press on in faith, knowing the Lord will not forsake him. He can live under the reproach of man and not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is Christ’s gospel, and he is able. Samuel Rutherford, whose faith persuaded him to be banished and imprisoned for Christ said, “Forward then, dear brother, and lose not your grips. Hold fast the truth for the world sells not one dram-weight of God’s truth, especially now when most men measure truth by time, like young seamen setting their compass by a cloud…" If you know Christ, your faith is in one stronger than you, able to save, true to His word, and faithful to keep his promises.

Hating Grace

A lot of people hate the gospel. Do you? Timothy was called to suffer for the sake of the gospel, because the good news of salvation is rejected by the world. Timothy was persecuted for telling people that God saves sinners by grace through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:8-9).  Jesus doesn’t try to save us, or give the opportunity for salvation, but does save us, finally, fully, and freely. Mankind naturally hates the grace of God. Those who are saved by Jesus Christ are called by the Holy Spirit and those who are called are saved. God doesn’t save and not call, nor does he call and not save. Don’t mistake this holy calling as God looking for and calling men unto salvation who live holy, and act holy. On the contrary, it’s a holy calling despite our works, as Paul says, “not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Grace.

Do you rejoice in God’s grace or recoil? If you are saved, it’s not because you are a good person. If you are a Christian, it’s not because of how much you work, how much you deny yourself, and how unspotted from the world you remain. If you are going to Heaven, it’s not because you are a decent person who tries their best and goes to church as much as you can. If you are redeemed, it’s not because you are a member of a church, because you were baptized, or even because you said the sinner's prayer the preacher told you to repeat. Christians are not saved by their works, but according to God’s “own purpose and grace.” If you are saved by works, you are not saved by grace and vice versa. Grace is an underserved gift. If you work 40 hours a week, your boss doesn’t give you a gift on payday. He pays you what he owes you. If God saves because of your choice, your works, or you good deeds, then you are not saved by grace. And, if you are not saved by grace, you are not a Christian. Salvation is in the work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world, purposed in God, to save his elect, from all of their sin. We are the recipients of God’s grace in Christ, whom we receive, not by works, but by faith alone.

Do you recoil at sovereign grace? There is no other gospel. The Bible, from beginning to end, tells of the sovereign God, doing as He pleases, saving undeserving sinners by His grace. There is no good news in being saved by works, because the law cannot justify you it only condemns. God saves sinners by grace through faith. We don’t need help, we need saved. We don’t need reformed, we need regeneration. The pride of the human heart hates the confession of our inability, thus hates grace.

A Heart Deceived

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Rather than feeling ashamed for the gospel, Paul urges Timothy press on past those wrong feelings and join the fight. It’s a simple command – don’t be ashamed. Shame is an emotion and our emotions are not infallible, and that’s why they make terrible guides. I’m a Christian, not a stoic, so I don’t believe humans should act like emotionless droids, but I know you should not be ruled by your emotions. If you feel shame, the first thing you need to do is ask yourself why? Have you committed a sin against God, according to Scripture? Have you done something or left something undone which smote your conscience? Then shame has done a worthy work in your life, and now repent and find forgiveness in the blood of Christ. But, if you feel shame, and have done nothing wrong (according to the Bible, not according to your feelings), then you know your emotions deceived you. The best course of action, after you have determined your heart has deceived you, is to not be ashamed anymore. 

Sitting on the fence or trying to play both sides will make you awfully uncomfortable and practically useless in the work. Wanting to serve the Lord, but not wanting to offend the world will make you ineffective for God’s work, and undesirable to the world you want to think highly of you. The best way to overcome the fearful timidity Timothy had is to jump in the fight and be all in for Christ. If you give in to the wrong emotion of shame of the gospel, you are feeding this bad emotion and making it stronger. President John Quincy Adams wrote, "Highly as I reverenced the authority of my constituents...I would have defended their interests against their inclinations, and incurred every possible addition to their resentment, to save them from the vassalage of their own delusions." A Christian should rather stand for truth and be hated for it than to go along with a lie and live in peace. What good is a man of God whose only goal is favor with the world? What worth is a preacher who will only tell you pleasant things? What value is there in a witness for Christ being afraid to take the stand? And, what do you gain by not taking criticism from the world who hates your Lord? There isn’t really an upside. Some of the most miserable people I’ve ever known were backslidden Christians. They couldn’t enjoy their rebellion because they were God’s people and He wouldn’t let them and they couldn’t recreate the joy of the Lord out in the world. They were double losers because of what they gained in the world made them miserable and what they lost in fellowship with Christ made them desolate.  

Ashamed of the Testimony

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner...” 2 Timothy 1:8.

Shame, according to Merriam-Webster’s is a “painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. A condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute. Something that brings censure or reproach.” Timothy was tempted to feel ashamed, but not for doing wrong, but rather the pain of disgrace, impropriety, and reproach that comes from following Christ. This is directly tied to the fear in the previous verse. Fearing man, rather than God, will cause us to care more about what men think of us than what God thinks of us. To bear the testimony of our Lord is not a popular opinion held by the world. You’ll be thought of as a fanatic, a zealot, or a “fundamentalist”.

Preachers love to speak of Paul as if they would have been fast friends - but I’m not so sure. A lot of men didn’t like Paul. A lot of preachers didn’t like Paul because he took the things of God seriously. That rubs people the wrong way. And friendship with Paul wasn’t a badge of honor with the elite. It wasn’t exactly the fast-track to fame and popularity to be the buddy of an old, fervent, preacher in chains, especially with the unbeliever. To preach the gospel, and to be associated with that old man in prison was disgraceful and maybe a little embarrassing to the highbrow, and those that would like to be. But only a disgrace to those who didn’t know the Lord. Paul was no disgrace to God.

You don’t have to be part of the elite class to be tempted by the desire to fit in. Just the desire to be among them is enough to watch what you say and how you say it. Preachers and churches face the temptation of carrying what the world thinks of us. Those in New York City don’t care what we think or believe here in West Virginia, but oh how many desperately care what they think of us! Catch phrases, ministry strategies, acceptable speech and behavior is set by worldly men, and those who want to fit in must adapt.

The only way to be ashamed of Christ and the gospel is to put more stock in what men think of you than what God thinks of you. To be ashamed of the gospel of Christ is to care more about men thinking well of you than caring for their soul. Christ is my judge. Jesus saved my soul and that is a fact. The blood of Christ does indeed wash away sin. There is a Hell as sure as there is a Charleston. Why should I be ashamed at believing and declaring the truth? People who are duped by con men are ashamed when it comes to light, because they feel the disgrace of believing and trusting in a lie. Why be ashamed of the truthful reality described in God’s Word?

Are these things true or not? What things? The things of Christ. The things of doctrine. The things of the church. The things of living a holy and separated life.

Then don’t be ashamed of the truth and don’t be ashamed to associate with those who believe it. Nothing would make the wolves happier than to convince the sheep it's a disgrace to stick close to the Shepherd. I'm sure the wolf would be glad to give all sorts of advice to the sheep. And nothing is more perilous to the soul than for a sheep to care if the wolves think they are nice and friendly.

Not Ashamed

2 Timothy 1:8-12 “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…” The Tolerance Police stand ready to keep people in line. Think differently than the commonly accepted line of "truth" and you'll soon hear a version of their battle cry. To some, more intimidating than the "Rebel Yell" or an Apache war cry,  the phrase “You ought to be ashamed!”  sends grown men whimpering off to the corner mumbling to themselves. Should it?

Shame is the feeling of judgment when we are guilty of a transgression, or embarrassed by one of our characteristics, or embarrassed by our associations.  Shame or feeling ashamed can be both a good or bad thing – it all depends on why you are ashamed. If we’ve done wrong, shame leads us to seek forgiveness. Having no shame means you never feel the weight of your guilt. However, it’s just as bad to feel ashamed when you shouldn’t. The feeling of shame comes from our conscience but sometimes our conscience is out of tune with the truth.

Amazingly, Timothy was ashamed of Jesus. Many Christians are also ashamed of Jesus. Timothy was ashamed of the Lord’s testimony and embarrassed by the gospel, the testimony that Jesus died on a cross for his sins. Timothy was embarrassed to be associated with Paul, the persecutor turned prisoner, the fanatical preacher of the gospel of Jesus.

Jesus did nothing wrong, ever and had nothing to be ashamed of. But in the court of public opinion, Jesus is guilty of breaking with the world. Put to death on a Roman cross, the world judged Jesus and condemns him. Because the carnal heart is enmity against God, the world always will think poorly and judge harshly the Lamb of God. The cross is a stumbling block for the Jews and foolish to the Gentiles. He is guilty and condemned in the eyes of the world. Anyone who associates with Christ, shares His beliefs and moral characteristics, and trusts in His name is guilty by association in the world system. Timothy felt shame because he feared the judgment of the world more than the judgment of God. He elevated the opinion of nonbelievers higher than the opinion of His Lord. He didn't want the world to hate him.

Paul was not ashamed (2 Timothy 1:12). He boldly proclaimed the gospel of Christ despite the condemnation. Jesus saved us, called us with a holy calling by his grace, ordained before the world began. Jesus Christ our Lord, abolished death and through his death burial and resurrection gives eternal life and by faith in Christ, we are saved. Paul is a preacher of such glorious good news and he isn’t ashamed because he knows Jesus. People will condemn him. People will tell him “he ought to be ashamed” but he’s not ashamed, because those judges are wrong. He knows his soul is safe in the Lord Jesus and so his is not ashamed now and won’t be ashamed in the last day.

Spirit of Fear- Tuesday with (2nd) Timothy #6

2 Timothy 1:5-7 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

One of the great spiritual weapons used against the child of God is fear. We are to fear (reverence, worship) the Lord, but are not to be fearful, cowardly, or timid, which is a great sin. "But the fearful...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death," Revelation 21:8.  Fear is a powerful tool to manipulate people to act against their consciences or to cower from doing right. Paul encouraged Timothy not to cringe in the face of potential persecution, but to boldly serve God and declare the gospel. Fear keeps preachers from preaching the whole counsel of God. Fear keeps Christians from witnessing at work. Fear keeps men from opposing false doctrine and fear of trouble keeps men from doing what they believe to be right. Fear keeps pastors from stepping on the wrong toes and try to make everyone happy in the pews, especially those with power. Fear makes a preacher skip the application of a message and say, "It's not my job to apply Scripture, that's the Holy Spirit's job." A young man was called to pastor a church in Kentucky, and his first sermon he preached against drunkenness. The deacon came up to him afterword and said, "I know you are new here, but there are quite a few men who work at the distillery, so you shouldn't preach on drunkenness." The next week, he preached on truth telling, and against liars. The deacon said, "About that sermon – we have a few politicians in the church, and they took exception to that sermon." Frustrated, the young preacher said, "Well then, what CAN I preach about!” The deacon thought for a moment and said, "You can preach against the Mormons. I doubt there is a Mormon within 500 miles of here."

To encourage boldness, Paul told Timothy to remember his heritage (2 Timothy 1:5-7). Remember God's good providence in blessing Timothy with a mother and grandmother who loved him enough to read and teach him the Bible. It can be a good tool for spiritual boldness to recall how the Lord saved you, and even what he saved you from and to consider your election. God saved you by his mighty power, not because of good that you have done, but according to His loving mercy. Remembering how God ordained your salvation and brought it to pass can give you boldness for the present day. Be encouraged by Christian fellowship and the prayers of saints. Timothy may have been afraid of persecution, but Paul was praying for him. His dear friend lifted him up before the throne of grace. Timothy was not alone. Timothy was not abandoned. When we become fearful or allow fear to manipulate us, the thought of the church praying for you is a great means of boldness. Yet another reason why you need to be in the regular fellowship of a church. We need the prayers of our brothers and sisters, and we need to be able to request prayer. We also need the fellowship of the believers who know us and want the best for us. You can't have that when your forsake the assembly.

We gain boldness by action. It may not seem very spiritual, and it may not seem helpful, but a good way to not be fearful is to run straight into what you are afraid of. Go. Move. Get to the field of service despite your fear and trust in the Lord. This is how you can courage. Stirring up the gift of God is to use the gifts God gave you and kindling the fire of service. Fan the flames of God's gift into a roaring fire. Timothy was called to preach, called to pastor, and called to defend and proclaim the gospel of Christ. The gift God gave him is related to that ministry. But, he thought, if he used his gifts, he would be persecuted, and so he was afraid. Paul’s answer to Timothy’s timidity? Use the gifts. And not half-hardheartedly. Stir them up, kindle the fire and burn down the barriers of fear! When I was small child, I was convinced there was some sort of scary monster standing outside my window. I just knew if I opened the window, I'd be looking face to face with some ugly ghoul wanting to eat me whole. My mom came in my room and I told her why I wasn't asleep, and about the monster outside the window. Do you know what she did? She made me get up and open the window and look outside. That was the very thing I was afraid of! "But what if there IS a monster outside?" She said, "There isn't, but if there is, you'll be able to see it and then deal with it. But, if you lay here wondering, then you'll always be afraid." The advice was sound. If fear keeps you from serving God, the only way to defeat fear is press on in your calling. The work will dampen the fear. The more experience you gain, the less you’ll fear the unknown. And the more you are mortifying the fear in the Spirit of God, the more grace you receive.

God has not given us the spirit of fear. Whenever a Christian has the disposition of fearfulness, know it isn’t God. The character of fear is not a fruit of the Spirit. It’s easy to dress fear up in different garments, but underneath, it’s still fear. We may call it by different names, but it’s still fear. We may call it practicality. We may call it generosity. We may call it broadmindedness, or say we are protecting ourselves. We may say its living to fight another day. But if we search our hearts, we may find our motivation is being afraid. Obviously, this doesn’t do away with wisdom, but be careful that fear isn’t manipulating Scripture to give an easy out. Wise as serpents, after all.

The “spirit” is the source of the power of fear. If you are driving down a mountain and your breaks go out, it would be right and ok to be afraid. That human emotion is useful to release adrenaline and help us to get out of a life or death situation. But God hasn’t give us the spirit of fearful self-preservation. God has given us the spirit of power. Mighty, supernatural, God given power, whereas fear is weakness.

God has given us the spirit of love. Fear is self-motivated, and hesitant to act. Love presses forward for the good of others. Fear keeps us quiet in self-preservation. Love motivates us to move and sacrifice for God and for others. Fear is selfish, thinking only of ourselves. Love is selfless, serving for God’s glory. God has given us the spirit of love.

God has given us a sound mind. Fear takes the mind captive. Fear causes us to be irrational. Fear causes us to miss out on opportunities of service. Fear creates problems that are not really there, or amplifies problems that are really small. Fear takes weak enemies and makes them giants. Fear takes inconsequential barbs and turns them into swords. Fear takes the possibility of disapproval and turns it into a great trial where all the world is watching. It’s not rational. God gives us a sound mind. A healthy mind to be able to look at what is true, what is real, and what is important. God gives us a mind that isn’t ruled by our emotions, but a mind that is ruled by truth and reality.

Fear sells. Fear makes men compliant. Fear lets evil run free. The devil wants you afraid. The enemies of goodness and truth want you afraid. The worst case scenario for evil doers is coming across  a man whose had enough and no longer fears what man can do to him.

Spiritual Heritage - Tuesday with (2nd) Timothy #5

2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

When Paul thinks of his friend, he thinks of the genuine faith Timothy has in the Lord Jesus. Timothy truly loves the Saviour. And when  he thought of Timothy’s faith, he was reminded of the women who nurtured it. Lois and and Eunice where godly, Jewish women who believed in Christ (Acts 16:1). We know that Timothy’s father was a Greek, and it his absence here seems to imply that he was not a believer.

Verse five is setting up Paul’s encouragement to Timothy, to be bold in the service of Christ.

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Paul remembered Timothy’s faith and his mother’s faith, and his grandmother’s faith and was was convinced that Timothy was a saved man. He wanted Timothy to also remember his grandmother Lois, and her commitment to the faith once delivered. He wanted Timothy to remember the great faith of his mother Eunice, who came to faith in Christ, and believed, even though her husband apparently did not. He wanted Timothy to remember the faith of these women in raising him up, and teaching him the Bible and to see God’s providential care. Paul wanted Timothy to remember that he too believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and to be encouraged as Paul was convinced that Timothy was following after the Lord, just like his mother and grandmother, with a real, genuine faith. I imagine if you asked Timothy, he would have considered Lois and Eunice great and godly women. Paul was saying that he believed that Timothy had that same faith in the same Lord. Remembering his spiritual heritage was an encouragement to Timothy.

Paul wanted Timothy to think back and be encouraged. The Word of God says to “honour thy father and thy mother”, not throw them under the bus. Not only should you honor your physical parents, but also those spiritual fathers and mother’s who were instrumental in you coming to faith. Don’t turn your forefathers into villains to make your “journey” more intriguing. Why did Paul bring up Eunice and Lois? To fire him up. To get him out of the spiritual doldrums. To shake him out of his fearful immobility and get him motivated and moving again. Remember your faith, remember your heritage, and stir up the gift of God.

The purpose was for Timothy to “stir up the gift of God”. That might not sound very spiritual, but you can take that up with Paul. God’s gifts to us are meant to be used and we cannot be Samson like in our treatment of the gifts of God and expect to “slay the Philistines as we have done before”. These gifts of God require the diligent care and use of the minister.

Paul's Prayer List - Tuesday with Timothy #4

2 Timothy 1:3-4 ...that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 

Paul loves Timothy and always prays for him. How much do we pray for our loved ones? How much do we pray for our friends? What joy to know someone is praying for you. Knowing someone who has your interest at heart and goes to the throne of grace on your behalf is a great encouragement.
Let’s turn this around. If you tell someone you’ll pray for them, do you? What a terrible lie, to tell someone they are in your prayers, and you have yet to pray for them. What deception to say, “I’ll pray” and forget about it and move on. The hypocrites love to be heard of me, and to let people know they will pray, and probably have a prayer list 5 pages long. Paul prayed night and day for Timothy, and you could take that to the bank.

Paul wanted to see Timothy again and likely remembered when they last saw each other and left, and what a tearful parting it was. The degree of sadness when they parted would be matched by the degree of joy at seeing each other again. What a friendship! If you have such a friend, treasure them and protect that friendship, because they are certainly a rare thing in this world. Paul had fair-weather friends who left him when things got tough, but Timothy was a true friend. Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Paul is about to get after Timothy a little bit, and to light a fire under him, but because they are friends, Timothy is not going to pout and get angry, because he also knows Proverbs 27:6, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Timothy's tears were genuine because his love for his friend was genuine.

A Pure Conscience - Tuesday with 2 Timothy #3

2 Timothy 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience,

The start of verse three is a parenthetical comment, but it certainly packs a punch and worthy of our attention. Paul served God with a pure conscience. We must know how anyone can serve God with a pure conscience, and then do what he does. 

First, Paul served God faithfully. He lived to serve God. He delighted to serve God and wasn’t condemned for doing the right thing with the wrong attitude or for the wrong reason. You can feel the weight of condemnation when you are going through the motions, and still playing the part.

Secondly, Paul formed his life and ministry to God’s commands. There was nothing, as far as he could know and perceive, in his life and service to the Lord that was wrong or unscriptural. Paul did what he believed to be correct. Paul followed Jesus in what he knew to be right and would not waver. This doesn’t mean Paul was perfect, but his conscience was clear in what he did for the service of Jesus. He didn’t let things slide because they were unpopular, or do things that were wrong to build his profile. Paul knew what he believed and stood firm in what he knew was right, with no compromise.

But doesn’t that mean Paul was perfect?

No, it means Paul repents of his sins and his failings. He doesn’t say that he serves in sinless perfection, but with a pure conscience. He doesn’t have sin hanging over his head. He doesn’t have secrets hidden deep within his soul. When we sin and when we fail, we must repent and ask forgiveness of both God and man. The mistake most men make is to double down on their failures or mistakes. We fail in ministry then make it worse by trying to justify our sin. Or, we sin against a brother and make it worse by adding to the first sin, a second of lying and a third of bitterness. Perhaps a fourth, getting in the pulpit with a heart of unforgiveness. All men make mistakes, but a true man will admit them and make corrections and seek forgiveness.

A Beloved Son - Tuesday with 2 Timothy #2

2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy was like a son to Paul. They traveled together, preached together, and suffered together. Timothy was his child in the faith. If we remember Paul’s love for Timothy in these two epistles, we see how, I believe, God wants seasoned pastors to help, mentor, and disciple younger preachers and younger pastors. Paul loved Timothy and wanted Timothy to be a good pastor and a faithful servant of Jesus. There was no jealousy on Paul's part. Jealousy in the minister is ugly, but it’s been there from the start (Luke 9:46). Most men, by nature, are competitive and competition is not a bad thing. But if a competitive nature causes you to be jealous of others, and regard their growth and the Lord's blessing on their ministry as a point of contention, then that’s shameful. If a young man, full of zeal for Christ is outstripping his fellows in work and service for Christ, the answer is not to tear him down until there is nothing left but a shell, too broken to do anything. Use his zeal to light a fire under you, and get moving. And, as Paul aged, there were things he couldn’t do anymore. Providence restricted Paul’s movements, chained to a Roman soldier will keep you from moving around. But Paul encouraged young Timothy, to go and do what he couldn't anymore and he certainly didn’t tear him down.

Paul and Timothy labored together serving the same Lord. The normal and Biblical way that young men should be prepared for ministry is through the church. A faithful pastor mentors and guides those men under their care in the Word of God and prepares them for their work. Let's be honest, a man, if he is diligent, can read and study and learn truths from trusted theologians and not have to spend $150,000 on seminary. It's shameful how men peddle the Word of God for filthy lucre. You cannot get the pastoral insight and training from a seminary processor that you would get from being in the local church and preaching the Word, guided by the pastor that actually knows you. I think fondly of certain men in my ministry and in my life who loved me enough to be truthful to me and help me along. They told me hard truths about myself and about my preaching because they loved me and wanted to help me. There may have been some things that Timothy didn’t want to hear, but coming from someone he knew cared for him and wanted the best for him made all the difference.

And may I add this, to any  preacher who is new to the ministry of the Word who reads this and thinks, “That’s not my experience! I haven’t had any elder pastors help me!” My question is, have you asked? Have you listened? Have you gone to men who started preaching well before you were born and asked for advice, counsel, books to read, doctrine to study? A man only has so much to give, and if he has a family, a church, his own friends, you won’t find him trying to pour his life into every single preacher that he hears is called to preach, especially if that man thinks they already know everything. But if you are humble enough to seek counsel from other men, then you’ll find men willing and eager to mentor you.

According to the Promise of Life - Tuesday with (2nd) Timothy #1

Back by popular demand (and by popular, I mean no one in  particular at all) I present: Tuesday with Timothy. As we did with 1 Timothy, we will work our way through the book of  Second Timothy, a section at a time, every Tuesday (and by "every" I mean generally on most Tuesday's, unless something happens and I get behind) looking for encouragement to preserve in the ministry of the Word.

2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

Paul wrote the second epistle to Timothy while imprisoned in Rome, and soon to be put to death, making this his last epistle. Timothy was with the church at Ephesus, and Paul wanted him to come quickly (2 Timothy 4:9). We can take this letter as Paul's dying counsel to the young pastor. 

Paul begins with his office - an apostle of Jesus Christ, by God’s will. Paul was not elected into the office. No one voted Paul in as an apostle. God called Paul unto salvation and God made Paul an apostle and He did so according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. Those who are opposed to God's sovereign grace in salvation will say that God's election makes men robots and make them cold toward the salvation of sinners. Who could dare make the claim Paul was either? Paul was the most zealous of all preachers and missionaries, and yet he knew that God not only called him unto salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5) but that God had called him in to the apostleship, by his sovereign decree (Acts 9:15). Knowing God called Paul unto salvation and unto the ministry did not make Paul a fatalist, but set a fire under him to greater service and zeal for souls. 

God promised eternal life to all who put their hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The promise of life is for those who have a real, vital, union with Jesus.  Union with Christ, wrote Louis Berkhof, is the “intimate, vital, and spiritual union between Christ and His people, in virtue of which He is the source of their life and strength, of their blessedness and salvation.”  Paul served His Lord, receiving the promise of life and preaching the promise of life. 

Fare Thee Well

1 Timothy 6:20-21  O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:  Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

As a man of God, Timothy was committed to the truth of God's Word, (1 Timothy 1:18-19). Timothy has a priceless treasure in the doctrine he received and preaches, and he must secure it and guard with his life. As ministers of the gospel and preachers in the Lord's church, we have received the valuable treasure of truthful doctrine and our task is nothing short of faithfulness. We need to hold to the truth in our own lives, never wavering in what God has commanded us to do. We need to keep that truth in the forefront of our preaching, and guard our preaching from slackness and error. We need to protect the truth in the church and guard who takes the pulpit. We need to protect the truth from the influence of false teachers by a bold proclamation of God's Word. We need to keep the truth by diligence in reading and studying doctrine, to keep our theology tight and our doctrine sharp. Taking the long view, we are tasked with teach and passing the truth on to the next generation and to be able to leave this world having committed the truth to another group to carry on the work.

While he keeps the truth he is also to avoid profane and vain babbling. Don't flirt with or imbibe profane teachings and false science, or that which purports itself to be the way of knowledge, but is no knowledge at all. There is no contradiction in the truth. So science and higher learning is not in conflict with God's Word. It is a "so-called" science and higher learning that we are to avoid.  Why? Because it's the path to error. The danger  is that it will cause you to go off into error in the faith. I'm defiantly not anti-education or anti-learning, but be careful who you let teach you. Whether it's the science of evolution or the science of theology, be cautious of anything that contradicts God's Word and the doctrine given to your charge. It's the path to error, to be so enamored by 'higher learning' that you'll begin to doubt the plain truth of Scripture. Don't think so? Paul reminded Timothy that it had already happened to men that they knew. Don't think it can happen to you? Repent of your pride and be on guard.

Doctrine. Truth. Steadfastness. That's the theme of this epistle. There can be no compromise to the truth, and the man of God needs to be focused on preaching, studying, learning, teaching, and living the truth.

That ends our study in I Timothy. Maybe someday I'll tell you why I did this. Maybe soon we'll start 2 Timothy.

Charge to the Rich

1 Timothy 6:17-19  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  (18)  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  (19)  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Timothy received his charge and now he is to charge those in the church that have riches in this world not to be proud over what they have or but their trust in confidence in "uncertain" riches of the world. Our trust and confidence is not in silver and gold, but the living God.

Paul is using a chiastic structure in this passage.

A. Treasure in this world
        B. Confidence in uncertain riches now
               C. God richly gives
               C. Be rich in good works, ready to give
        B. A good foundation in the time to come
A. Treasure in Heaven

Those who have possessions now are tempted to be proud over what they have and trust their money, retirement, and investments keeps them safe. But it is God who gives us what we have. God doesn't give us what we have so that we would trust in them, but enjoy them. Money and possessions are wonderful tools but terrible masters. God richly gives us all things, and those to whom God has made rich by richly giving need to be rich in good works by giving themselves. God owns everything, and freely and richly gives. We ought to be like our Father and ready to richly give as well. Strive to be rich in good works. Doing so is an investment for the world to come. Laying up treasures in Heaven and laying hold on eternal life. 

The King of Kings - Tuesday with Timothy

1 Timothy 6:13-16  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;  (14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Paul references Christ's confession before Pilate to remind that Jesus is the King. The Lord Jesus will come again and when he does, it is not as the suffering servant, but the King of Kings. Jesus is the blessed and only Potentate, or supreme ruler. He is the King of all the kings of history. He is the Lord of all those in authority.  He has immortality, or life eternal and everlasting, dwelling in the light of the holiness of God. So bright, no mortal man could bear to look upon, even dare approach. He is at the right hand of the Father, who no man has seen or can see. This is who we serve. When we think about the glory and majesty of Christ, how foolish is us to fear man. How wicked to care more about what other people think of us and our preaching, when we must stand before our great Potentate and give an account. We could spend a lot of time parsing each word, there is a lot here, but I think just meditating on the whole should suffice us and that is the point. Superlative after superlative is given, to cause us to bow in fear and reverence. To shock us to know we have been charged and commissioned to carry out the work of this king. We are responsible to him.

Charged in the sight of God

1 Timothy 6:13-16  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;  (14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

There are two main thoughts in this passage. First, Timothy is charged to keep what Paul commanded. Second, the Majesty and Holiness of the King we are charged to serve. This solemn charge is before and in the name of the Lord Jesus. These two themes weave back and forth through this section.

1 Timothy 6:13-16  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

Paul charges, or adjures Timothy. Barnes says "the word rendered “charge” means, properly, to call to witness; then to affirm with solemn attestations; and then to admonish solemnly, to urge upon earnestly. It is a word which implies that the subject is of great importance." Paul is saying this command is no small matter. Being a pastor is no small calling. It is certainly not anything to take lightly. We need a fresh reminder of what it is we are doing as men of God. Whose word we are proclaiming. Who we are speaking for and that we will give an account to our King for everything we do in His name.

Paul charged Timothy in the sight of the God who gives life to all things. Timothy will have to answer to the Almighty for what he does and what he does not do. He is also charged in the sight of Jesus Christ, His Lord and King. Jesus, who gave a good profession (I Timothy 6:12) in the sight of Pontius Pilate. When asked if Jesus was a King, he said "Thou Sayest" and proceeds to explain the nature and scope of His kingdom. Timothy is charged in the sight of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

I don't want to say we shouldn't care what our people think, we should. But we should want our people to think like God thinks. We should care how they think much more than what they think about us. The only opinion that really matters is God's. I might get called in before the church to give an answer for what I preached or what I believe. I might get fired from a church or asked to leave. But the ultimately, all that matters is whether or not I am doing what God has called me to do and whether I was faithful to that task. The opinions of men will not matter when we stand before Christ Jesus the Lord. 

(14)  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

The charge was to keep what Paul has commanded. The immediate context refers to fighting the good fight of faith, following after righteousness, and fleeing the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. However, I believe that Paul is referring to the whole of this epistle.

The duties of the pastor must be kept without spot, or will all sincerity and purity. He must do the work of the pastor in a way that cannot be reproached or corrected. Obviously, God is the judge of this. Timothy isn't to be living up to the expectation of the congregation. However, the congregation should not be able to call Timothy on not doing the work of the ministry. His life must be in order and he must be proactively carrying out what he was commanded to do.

Timothy is to continue on until the Lord comes back or he goes and meets him. There is a danger in the ministry, to glide along on past years work. A man can get to the point where he has a lot of knowledge, and he has homiletical skills and is just beating his time in, going through the motions. We cannot rest. As long as we are living, we are on assignment and as long as we are at our post, we must be diligent to be a faithful solider of Christ. Imagine a solider charged with keeping the night watch at the fort, falling asleep on the job because he's been doing it so long, he's got an intuition about when danger comes. Here is a man who doesn't take his post seriously and doesn't fear his commanding officer, and sadly, doesn't care about the soldiers he was charged to keep and protect.

Professed a Good Profession

1 Timothy 6:11-12  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Timothy had professed his salvation before many witnesses and I believe this is speaking either of his baptism or the ordination. Since we read a few times about the "laying on of hands" in Timothy's ordination, this is probably the scene Paul is referring to. Regardless, Timothy publicly professed this good profession, that God has called him to eternal life and He was going to follow his Lord all the days of his life. Paul reminds Timothy of what he confessed. He did not remind him of what he felt. He did not remind him of his baptism. What Timothy believed is the thing stressed. Remembering his vows. Remembering his sacred oath to follow the Lord Jesus.

Most Christians who struggle with doubt are remembering everything but what they professed. They remember their sins. They try to find comfort in remembering that moment of salvation. They look for assurance in thinking about their baptism. But what they are NOT looking at is Christ. Find motivation in what you profess to believe, that Jesus Christ, King and Lord died as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of His people and victoriously rose from the dead for our justification. We stand clean and pure before God, clothed in the righteousness of Christ having a living hope in our living Saviour. If you are saved, that is the profession you professed.

Heavenly Minded - Tuesdays with Timothy

1 Timothy 6:12  “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…” Do you ever think about eternity? You have a soul and when you die, your soul is going somewhere. Considering eternity would be worth your limited time on Earth. Thinking about eternity doesn’t appeal to us because we have to think about death. The world, the flesh, and the Devil say “Live for today! Live for the pleasures of this life. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!” The idea is because death is unpleasant don’t think about it and live for today while we have it. But it is wisdom to think and live for eternity (endless ages), not for a few years.

If Jesus has saved your soul, lay hold of eternal life by faith. Paul isn’t talking about grasping Heaven by works. Laying hold of eternal life is a frame of heart in the life and walk of the Christian who is called to eternal life. Think and live with eternal life in mind. Wouldn’t you expect someone who is called to eternal joy and bliss to live like it now? Some profess to know Christ, but devote all time and energy to their earthly calling and seem to never give Jesus Christ and His kingdom and their Heavenly calling a second thought. Penny wise and pound foolish.

We have been called from a city of destruction to a “land that is fairer than day”.  God called His elect out of a life of sin and death, to a life of faith and light on our pilgrimage to our Heavenly home. Imagine a city (John Bunyan called it Vanity Fair) full of worldliness, the love of money, sorrows and sin; the home of the children of wrath and disobedience. The outskirts of this metropolis are lined with wounded men (I Timothy 6:10)  pierced through with the deadly arrows of covetousness and heresy, having tried to live on the border of the city with one foot in each camp. They liked the idea of eternal life, but loved what this world offered to much to leave it behind. Timothy was called to break camp in this city of worldliness and sin and head to a city whose builder and maker is God. He walked away, ignoring the calls to stay put and continue in worldly pleasures, instead, setting his eyes on the blessed city of the glorious King. His heart and mind is fixed on the King and fair Zion’s heavenly rest. With his kingdom citizenship on his heart he goes clad in the Spirit's armor and the Sword of the Spirit in his hand; laying hold on his Heavenly home and eternal life through “many dangers, toils, and snares”. Missionary Jim Elliot wrote,  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Are you laying hold of what you cannot lose or what you cannot keep?

Flee, Follow, and Fight - Tuesday with Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-12  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

 Years ago, a friend told me about the 360° change they made in their life. Knowing their sincerity was greater than their mathematical ability,  I took this as good news. The degree you turn your life around does matter. Running from something bad  is wonderful, but only if you are running in the right direction. Repentance is more than hating sin, but turning from sin to Christ. I Timothy 6: 11-12 says “ … flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called…” Paul’s describes here the Christian life when a person is born again and trusts in Christ. Flee. Follow. Fight.

We need to flee unrighteousness. To follow Christ, we first must flee sin and unrighteousness. The breaking of the commandments of our God should grieve our souls as we "go and sin no more". The person who thinks that salvation is saying a prayer or getting baptized to get all their paperwork in order to get to Heaven is sadly mistaken. You repent, receive Christ and turn to follow after Him. We leave behind our self-righteousness, our hope of Heaven through good works, the ungodly sins and iniquity in our hearts to follow Jesus. Christians are in pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith and love. The Christian follows the path of patience and lives in this wicked world with a meek and quiet spirit, humbly in submission to God and His Word.

The meek and humble path of the Christian is one of spiritual battle. We don’t struggle for our self-interests, or for political ideologies. Our war is an offensive battle for the faith once delivered. We fight the good fight of faith for the glory of God. It is a good fight because it is for the blessing of men. It is good because it is a fight for truth and righteousness. Turning from sin and fleeing to Christ, we press on in this pilgrim journey with our eye on Heaven. We are called to the Heavenly City and are on our journey to its gates. There are many perils on the way; we face temptation, sin, evil, false teachings, doctrines of devils and the Dragon himself; but we have to take heart, be stalwart with Spirit-filled courage and press on in the Christian life. We herald the good news that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. With the shield of faith, sword of the Spirit, and the helmet of salvation, we go to spiritual war with the works of unrighteousness. We tear down the Devil’s strongholds, not with carnal weapons, but with the Word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. With our eyes on Christ we press on in the way he has made for us, leaving our sin and bidding others to follow to life everlasting. Flee sin, follow Christ, and fight the good fight.

The Man of God

Tuesdays with Timothy #

I Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

The "man of God" is an Old Testament name given to God's prophets. Only one New Testament person is called the man of God; Timothy. Pastors today follow the line of Timothy. We are not prophets like Elijah or Apostles like Paul. These temporary offices are no longer in existence. But Timothy's office continues today. Pastors follow a long line of men who stand before God's people, open the Bible and expound what God has said in His Word. When Paul calls Timothy a man of God, I believe that all Pastor's and preachers called into this ministry and recognized by a church and given the ministry in the church, follow in those footsteps as men of God.

 Why would Paul use a decidedly Old Testament term in charging Timothy? Let's consider the Old Testament usage. A man of God dedicated his life to doing the will of God in prophetic utterance; men called to speak for God and in the name of God. Timothy isn't a foreteller, but he does declare "thus saith the Lord".  God didn’t speak directly to Timothy. He took the God-breathed Scriptures and declared what God has said in his preaching ministry. The man of God in the Old Testament spoke the Words of God. When David and Moses spoke the Word of God, they were remembered as the men of God (2 Chronicles 30:16; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 12:24). Pastors are only men of God if they speak the Word of God. If a man waxes poetic about politics and becomes a motivational speaker, he may be an influential man and he may be a popular man, but he is not being God's man. A man of God speaks the Words of God.

The people called the prophets a "man of God" out of respect for his position. Not all people honored the man of God. Certainly not all people liked the man of God, but calling the person the “man of God” understands that he came not in his own power and wisdom, but as an ambassador of God. There is very little respect for the office and the ministry today.  Some of  the blame for this disrespect can be laid at the feet of pastors. Don't be surprised when you don't respect the office God has given you that no one else respects it. The Old Testament men were called men of God because that is what they were known for. I'm not calling for a dress code and to speak like a bad caricature of Jonathan Edwards and to be dour and stiff. But if a man acts like the ministry is no big deal then certainly the people he preaches to are going to take it that way as well. The man of God takes that calling seriously.

Holiness characterizes of the man of God. There is a lot of talk about delivery and the way you preach. There isn't a lot of talk about holiness and the preacher. Paul spoke a lot more about holiness in Timothy's life than he did homiletics. The man of God doesn't have to be a flashy speaker. The man of God doesn't have to by a dynamic personality. The man of God doesn't need to be a great business meeting moderator. But the man of God must be holy, in and out of the pulpit. 

God's men need to follow the Lord Jesus. In character, in the content of the message, in our life in and out of the pulpit, the man of God must imitate Christ. Obviously, all Christians should do this, but this needs to be a distinguishing marker of the man of God because his life is given to God in the service of God. He is not the world’s man. He is not the church's man. He is not even his own man. He is God’s man. Paul encouraged Timothy by reminding him that He belongs to his master.

The Love of Money

I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

 The love of money is the root of all evil. Money is not the problem and Paul does not condemn having wealth The covetous desire for wealth is the root of all evil. A poor man can have just a great love of money as a rich man can. Paul warns professing Christians of the danger of loving money. A love of money takes the place of a love of God. You cannot have godly contentment and love money. You cannot give sacrificially and love money. Loving money is covetous and idolatry. Loving money will lead you into various other sins on the quest for obtaining the beloved object.

With the love of money, the desire becomes it's own judgment. That's the way with most sins. What the souls lusts after is what will destroy you. As you covet after money and reach out for what God hasn't given you and you stretch yourself for another dollar, you fall away from the faith and land on the dead fall trap of many sorrows.

The love of money will cause you to forsake the Lord's house. The love of money will lead men to forsake their families. The love of money will tempt you to lie, cheat, and steal for every last penny. Men and women who will lie to your face, rob you blind, and swindle you out of your last dollar, and then pick your pocket in "christian love". Certainly this pertains to the celebrity preachers, but they are not the sole offenders. You can be a poor pastor and love the little money you have and do what it takes to get more and more. When serious error arises in the church and the big tithers are wrong, what will you do? When men preach false doctrine  but calling it out will cost you half the congregation and most of your salary, what will you do? Or, to turn the tables, the man who held the money in the church who betrayed Jesus. No one suspected Judas because they let him keep the money and he was probably one of the most pious sounding. We could have given that money away to the poor!

If you have wealth, thank God for it and use it for His glory. Love God and not money, and you'll be fine.