June 4, 2008
The Battle Before Us
Scripture: 1 Kings 1, Psalm 123, 2 Timothy 1-2
Observation:
“14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
It has taken me a minute to figure out that he is talking about the gospel (“the good deposit”). I know there’s a really important message in this passage (v.3-14), I just need to dig a little deeper to really understand it.
It appears to me that he (Paul) is first reminding Timothy of his calling, which I’m not exactly sure about, but sounds like he was set apart for full time ministry and evangelism like Paul:
“6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
And to carry out this ministry he will need this spirit of power, love and self control that God has given him.
8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace,”
Okay, so, be bold, be willing to speak the truth and share in the suffering that Paul knows all to well is coming upon believers and ministers of the gospel, and do it by the power of God. That same power that saved us and called us to this ministry by nothing of our own doing.
“12 But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”
He talks about not being ashamed again, and I’m thinking it has to do with his imprisonment. That mostly everyone has abandoned him now and he is about to die in prison. Not a glamorous way out for someone who’s given their life to fight for the King of the universe. This sentence seems to me like he is acknowledging that his work is almost done, he’s about to die, but he’s not worried about what is going to happen to this huge assignment that’s been given to him (preaching the gospel), because the Lord will guard it and find servants to carry it on.
“3 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
So to Timothy, follow the pattern of Paul’s teaching…it will take faith and love that are available to us in Christ. And back to verse 14, By the Holy Spirit, guard the gospel that has been entrusted to you. I guess this means guard it because it is under attack. Hold fast to the truth. Guard it from misinterpretations and false teachings. Fight for it. Be willing to die for it, like Paul is about to. Don’t forget that this is your mission in life.
I get this picture of a Platoon leader or military officer (whatever they are called) dying on the battlefield, talking to his favorite soldier, reinforcing what it is that we are doing here, strengthening him and spurring him on to fight the good fight. This is reinforced in the next passage when he says,
“3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. … 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
Part of guarding the gospel then, is taking care not to get entangled in civilian pursuits. Isn’t this so true!? Worldly pursuits do entangle. They are a perfect distraction, disguised as harmless, and usually sold to us as something “people just do”. Keep your eyes on the Lord, the one who enlisted you. It is his mission you are carrying out. No soldier who can see very clearly the war right in front of him is thinking about anything other than what he was trained to think of. He’s giving his all to obey his leadership and fight for his cause because his life (and the lives of others) depends on it.
My prayer is that my eyes would be opened to the battle that is in front of me, and my heart would be strengthened and spurred on by the Holy Spirit to live only for the purposes of God.
