The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:3,
"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
As Paul was imprisoned and chained, he wrote this letter to Timothy. In it he invites Timothy to suffer with him, "like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Quite an invitation!
Why should Timothy want to suffer? Why would Paul ask him to do so? Perhaps that answer is found a few verses later. As Paul speaks of himself, he says, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Verse 10.
Paul considered salvation to be the very best thing anyone in life could attain. In speaking of his concern for his own countrymen, he says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Romans 9:3-4. Coupled with the fact that salvation is attainable for anyone who desires it, who desires God, Paul spent his life proclaiming and furthering the gospel. He made every effort to reach as many as he could, as he built fellowships to continue and further that very work. For Paul, any suffering in this life simply could not have any negative impact on the awesome opportunity represented for each of us in the gospel. In Romans 8:18 he says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Additionally, as we recognize that Jesus Christ came to suffer a miserable death on the cross to build his kingdom, a family for himself, we must consider whether his death on the cross for each of us compels us to ensure that his sacrifice not be in vain. If the Lord was willing to come and die a miserable death to pay for my sins and for your sins, might not we, in turn, be willing to give ourselves to further his efforts in bringing in as many as we can for him, no matter what kind of suffering we may encounter to do so?
Any opposition Paul faced, any hardship he endured, any suffering he experienced could not deter Paul from taking the gospel to as many as he could and to build up fellowships to do likewise - just like the fellowships we belong to. By extension through Timothy, we are likewise asked to suffer for the sake of the gospel enterprise, for the sake of souls, for the sake of God's agenda to build his family out of us.
While we here in this country may not face the dangers Paul did two millenia ago, many do so in other parts of the world today. They face the invitation Paul made to Timothy and are willing, and, I am certain, eager to face whatever dangers, whatever suffering, whatever hardships may come their way by being effective in furthering the gospel message.
What part, in the Lord's building of his family, does he want me to pursue? What am I willing to suffer in pursuit of what it is he asks of me? "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What are we willing to demonstrate in our love of God? What does that demonstration say about our love for him? Are we willing to join Paul and Timothy in whatever suffering, whatever opposition, whatever "uncomfortable consequence" we may endure for Jesus Christ?
What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
As Paul was imprisoned and chained, he wrote this letter to Timothy. In it he invites Timothy to suffer with him, "like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Quite an invitation!
Why should Timothy want to suffer? Why would Paul ask him to do so? Perhaps that answer is found a few verses later. As Paul speaks of himself, he says, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Verse 10.
Paul considered salvation to be the very best thing anyone in life could attain. In speaking of his concern for his own countrymen, he says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Romans 9:3-4. Coupled with the fact that salvation is attainable for anyone who desires it, who desires God, Paul spent his life proclaiming and furthering the gospel. He made every effort to reach as many as he could, as he built fellowships to continue and further that very work. For Paul, any suffering in this life simply could not have any negative impact on the awesome opportunity represented for each of us in the gospel. In Romans 8:18 he says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
Additionally, as we recognize that Jesus Christ came to suffer a miserable death on the cross to build his kingdom, a family for himself, we must consider whether his death on the cross for each of us compels us to ensure that his sacrifice not be in vain. If the Lord was willing to come and die a miserable death to pay for my sins and for your sins, might not we, in turn, be willing to give ourselves to further his efforts in bringing in as many as we can for him, no matter what kind of suffering we may encounter to do so?
Any opposition Paul faced, any hardship he endured, any suffering he experienced could not deter Paul from taking the gospel to as many as he could and to build up fellowships to do likewise - just like the fellowships we belong to. By extension through Timothy, we are likewise asked to suffer for the sake of the gospel enterprise, for the sake of souls, for the sake of God's agenda to build his family out of us.
While we here in this country may not face the dangers Paul did two millenia ago, many do so in other parts of the world today. They face the invitation Paul made to Timothy and are willing, and, I am certain, eager to face whatever dangers, whatever suffering, whatever hardships may come their way by being effective in furthering the gospel message.
What part, in the Lord's building of his family, does he want me to pursue? What am I willing to suffer in pursuit of what it is he asks of me? "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What are we willing to demonstrate in our love of God? What does that demonstration say about our love for him? Are we willing to join Paul and Timothy in whatever suffering, whatever opposition, whatever "uncomfortable consequence" we may endure for Jesus Christ?
What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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