run, and pursue.

2Tim2:22 (NLT)
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

When i was in high school, I remember driving home late one night with a friend after one of our concerts. we pulled into town and driving down the road saw some giant rodent run across the street. we stopped, got out of the car, and discovered a bloated sick old muskrat that i swear was rabid! we looked at this thing close, like real close, and not knowing what to do with it, we threw a couple of small rocks at it. Immediately it hissed and lunged at me. I screamed and turned to run in the opposite direction. I RAN. I actually ran about 2 blocks without looking back and screamed over my shoulder to my friend asking if it were still chasing me. apparently it only chased me for about 10ft. I kind of over did the run in the opposite direction but i thought i was going to get rabies that night.

Can we overdue the run from sin? I would like to think not. I think the farther i can run in the opposite direction from the things that can entangle me, and ruin my relationship with Christ, the better.

There is a distinction here that Paul makes. We are to run from the things that stimulates youthful lusts. AND. we are to pursue some things to. It does us no good to just run from sin, to hide from it, to just get as far away from it as possible. if that were the case then there would be justification for the people who claim to have lived "good lives" who "did not steal, murder, cheat etc" because such things are running in the opposite direction of the things that are evil. This is instinctive, for most, this part is easy.

Run? Absolutely, but once we have escaped these things, then we have a responsibility. Paul gives 4 things to pursue

1. righteous living
2. faithfulness
3. love
4. peace

Does this list look familiar? possible fruits of the spirit, proof that one has been born again, and now is growing in their faith. The other cool part is that Paul tells us not to just do this on our own. but to "enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with Pure hearts" other translations make the distinction to do these 4 pursuits within community which i believe is a better translation.

We pursue these things through the indwelling of the Spirit. these things help us to avoid youthful lusts, and we share the journey in community with those who can keep us accountable. so cool!

i dont want to be an old dirty spoon

2Tim2:20-21 (NLT)

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood or clay.  The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.  Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for very good work. 

I don't want to live my life as a dirty old spoon.  I don't want to be an old coffee mug that sits at the back of the cupboard never to be used.  I want to be the first choice for special use.  

I love the word pictures that Paul puts together.  Here we have the contrast between old clay utensils and special gold and silver utensils.  The idea being that the Gold and Silver utensils are saved for special work, while the Clay and wood utensils are used for day to day, nothing special type work.  Some translations say "dishonorable work" or "ignoble work".  In any case, there is a definite difference between them and getting to use the company's coming utensils. 

Paul's challenge is that if we can rid ourselves of that which is dishonorable or ignoble, we can too be as the special utensils.  This is what I want.  

The picture that is painted in this verse for me is the idea of followers of christ, in Gods great cupboard, (a cupboard that God uses to keep his workers) and when he is ready to do a real work, and exciting work, a special work, a saving work, a work with eternal significance, that he reaches for the Gold and Silver. 

I think in my life there has been times that I have been silver, and maybe even sometimes gold. however, i also know there have been times that i have been wood and clay.  the cool part about it however, is that we are encouraged to continue to rid ourselves of the things that are dishonorable; when we continue to make oureselves pure we move into the special place in the cupboard ready to be used by God.  

The challenge i see here, is making sure that we continue to stay in that latter cupboard spot.  The last thing i would ever want to have happen is miss out on the special work that God has planned for me simply because my heart is keeping me in the old everyday use section.  I want to be used for the special work, the exciting stuff, the stuff that matters, and the promise here is that if i remain pure, God has exciting, special work saved for me to partner with him on.  How cool!

Koop Bro, as you head into a summer full of divine moments, organized chaos (and sometimes unorganized), and the honor to speak God's truth into the lives of teens, may you continue to keep your heart pure, rid yourself of any dishonor and ignobleness, so that God can use you in these special ways. May He truly unleash you to speak with the boldness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

foundation stone with this inscription

2Tim2:19 (NLT)
19 But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

I find immense power in this one verse. Paul is using the symbol of a house which he is accustomed to doing through many of his letters. But he is referring to the foundation stone. This is a word picture I can grasp. Gods truth is firm - Firm like a massive slab of concrete that a home is built on. We recently had concrete installed in our parking lot at our youth facility, and there were a few students who "inscribed" their names in the pads. We all know that these inscriptions will last the life of the stone itself. I get this picture Paul is using. Not only is he saying that God's truth stands Firm, but the inscriptions found on the stone will last just as long as his truth. COOL!

The 2 inscriptions are obviously in contrast with the previous verses as Paul talks about the false teachers. Inscribed, never to be removed or changed, is the first inscription: God knows those who are his. This is reassuring, God knows me as I am his. He knows my past, my present, and my future. He has plans for me, dreams, because he knows me. As Paul mentioned earlier in this letter he is not ashamed of suffering for he KNOWS the one in whom he trusts, this contrast back now to demonstrate that we are KNOWN by God. To know me, I know that my God also must love me. This is God's half per-say.

The second inscription is our half. All who belong to him, must turn away from evil. This is a major theme to Paul. We are always loved first: Paul knows this, and this is his theology, we cannot earn his love by our works. However, once we find ourselves under that love, We are expected to engage in the love back. Meaning: I have been saved through the unchanging truths of God and who He is, and what He has done. NOW, in order for me to grow in that relationship with him, I have to engage in the love story with Him. And as Paul describes in many of his letters and writings, the best way to engage in such love is in obedience. We must turn away from evil, and ultimately turn to Christ. This is our half. The former is given freely through grace, the latter is experience through our daily dying to ourselves to live in Christ.

We are to remember that God's truth stands firm. Who he is will never change. And there is inscription written to both remind us of who he is, and how to continually engage with him.

2Tim2:15-18 (NLT)
15 Work Hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

I love that Paul begins this section reminding Timothy to work hard, SO he can present himself to God and receive his approval. Working hard so that he does not need to be ashamed. This brings to mind the Parable of the 3 servants. The Good workers bring to mind Jesus' description of the 2 men who invested their masters money and made more of it in contrast to the tenant who simply hid the money his master gave him. We all know the words Jesus spoke to the first 2 men "well done, good and faithful servant". Those two tenants would not have been ashamed.

So to Paul encourages Timothy to make much of what he has. In the Parable Jesus states "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." But, not only does he have to continue to share the Gospel, he is warned to make sure he is doing so "correctly". Paul uses medical terms to describe what it looks like when false teachers, in particular Hymenaeus and Philetus, that such teaching can spread like cancer.

They Keys to this passage:
Work hard so as not to be ashamed
Correctly handle the word of God
Avoid useless talk and behavior and those who do such things.

Again, these are fantastic reminders to us as present day believers.

I need to remember to work hard, so that on the day of Judgment, I am greeted with the powerful affirming statement "well done"
I need to remember to correctly handle the word of God because I know as James makes mention, "we who teach will be judged more strictly"
I need to remember to avoid useless talk and behavior, and must make sure that then things i teach and the way I live my life is not going to destroy the "church" like cancer. That is a powerful reminder!

stop fighting over words

2Tim2:14 (NLT)
Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

Again, Paul reminds Timothy that he is to "remind everyone about these things". "these things" either being the doctrine found within the preceding Hymn which was digested in my last blog entry, or of the entirety of this letter. In any case, Timothy is reminded to hold to and teach right doctrine.

Then Paul goes on to make a bold statement, we know it is bold because he prefaces it with "and command them in God's presence to". Paul wants to make sure that this is not just an idea, or a recommendation, but a commandment in God's presence. The commandment: stop fighting over words. It is uncertain exactly what Paul is addressing here. We know that Paul was firm on doctrine and on theology and is the first to call out false teachers or those who have drifted from right doctrine and theology. In any case there was fighting that was going on between members of the body. Perhaps about methodology, philosophy, approach etc. Paul made clear that these quarrels had to stop.

Why? because "Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them". This is a challenge to the present day minister and pastor. Not only are we reminded of the futility of arguing between one another on trivial matters, but we are reminded that they "can ruin those who hear them". "those who hear them" is not referring to those engaged in the argument, but instead would be the people who are outside of the argument looking in. In the present day church, they would probably be seen as the congregation, or even those outside of our church body.

When I was young, and outside of the church, I remember being extremely confused by the fact that there were several "Christian" churches in Taber who said they all believed the same things (doctrine), yet did not get along with one another, or work together to further the kingdom. I remember being young and thinking there was something wrong with this picture. I think to some degree this is similar to what Paul was presenting. I could say this "ruined" me, it definitely tainted my view of Christianity. Why could all of these people not gather themselves in such a matter that they could maximize their kingdom increasing abilities? It makes me truly wonder if Christ ever intended his Bride to be dressed in so many denominational dresses.

the saying is tustworthy for:

2Tim2.11-13 (ESV)
If we have died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him;
if we deny him,
he also will deny us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful -

for he cannot deny himself.

Paul uses a hymn to emphasize his concept on glory which we find in the previous verse. I am not certain whether this is Paul's own hymn, or one that is borrowed. My guess would be to lean on the borrowed end as he says "the saying is trustworthy" as though Timothy probably would have heard this hymn before having read this letter. In any case, it is a means by which Paul re-emphasizes his previous thought.

The hymn begins with the idea of dying to ones self so as to be alive in Christ. This is a prevalent theme in the writings of the Apostle Paul specifically when he talks about baptism. Romans 6:3-4 "Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."

I am sure that the next stanza comes after the first for the purpose of reminding Timothy, that that unity that comes through baptism, assumes the necessity of endurance in this new life. Paul just finished talking about his own endurance to Timothy, now he points Timothy back to endurance, reminding him, and us, that endurance is not purely for the sake of facing adversity for the sake of adversity, but instead for the enjoyment and fulfilment of the coming kingdom.

The next line seems to take the hymn from a celebratory song to almost some of a warning very reminiscent of Jesus words in Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my father who is in heaven" Paul wants to make clear to the readers the importance of this concept "if we deny him, he will deny us"

The transition though affirms the believer that yes there is a severity in denying Christ, but we must not live in fear about the times where we lack faith, or where God seems distant, or our journey seems strained. "if we are faithless, he remains faithful." "for he cannot deny himself" or as the NLT puts it "for he cannot deny who he is"

I am so grateful for this reminder that my God is a God who remains faithful, who cannot live against his character which is a character of Love. Yet still challenged by the truths of my unity with Christ, my endurance through the journey, and the importance of seeing that No one face the judgment that comes through denying Christ.

2Tim2.8-10 (NLT)
8 Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

Paul again roots Timothy in Jesus Christ. It is all about Jesus, the descendant of David, or, Jesus the one whom our Hebrew Scriptures foretold and today we have had fulfilled. I love that Paul continually points young Timothy back to the Main thing: Jesus. And then from the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the mission: the Good News.

I love the comment that Paul makes: "I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained" Paul reminds us all that the Good News of Christ, the ministry of Christ and the Holy Spirit goes on past just himself. Regardless of Paul being behind bars, the word of God cannot and will not be chained. And so Paul STILL ministers even though his days of travel missionary and church planting work have come to a halt, he ministers in any possible way he can. Why? Because he is willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those he has chosen.

I remind myself of the need to minister despite circumstances. and despite any barriers that may get in my way. If Paul, a prisoner could do the ministry that he did for the church behind bars, imagine what the free believers could be capable of if we too lived our ministry through our lives willing to do anything if it will bring salvation and ETERNAL GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS to those he has chosen.

As Paul reminds Timothy of keeping the main thing the main thing. Too we must remind ourselves the same.

the soldier, the athlete and the farmer.

2Tim2.3-7

3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. 7 Think about what I am saying.  The Lord will help you understand all these things. 

There is 3 main pictures that Paul wants to leave with Timothy in order that he may better understand what it means to suffer with and serve alongside of Christ. 

The first of these 3 is the image of a soldier.  In this picture, Paul describes to Timothy that soldiers focus on the battle that is at hand, and do not let themselves get caught up in civilian life.  Ultimately they stay focused on the things that need to be focused on.  The things they have been enlisted to do, for the officer they have been called to serve under. 

Secondly is the picture of an Athlete.  Reminding Timothy that in order for an athlete to win the prize, the must follow the rules.  We have seen this time and time again in our current culture.  Even recently as we watch baseball icons have their pride and even some of their status ripped away because of their "cheating the rules" through the abuse of steroids.  The "rules" of the game that God has called us to should always be to us not a burden, but a means in which we can love God, and ultimately be used by him to the full extent which he wants to use us. 

The last figure Paul uses is that of a Farmer.  I find this one interesting as Paul describes "Hard working farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor" I think what Paul is describing here is that we should be enjoying the ministry that we get to be a part of, and we should continually celebrate the fruit that is born from such ministry.  Ultimately it is the celebration of such fruit, when you can really see God at work in the ministry that keeps ministers wanting to do what they do.  

Ultimately, I see Paul reminding each one of us that 

we are called to be as a soldier: Focused and dedicated on the battle which we are prepared and armed for. 

we are called to be as an athlete: enduring training, and remembering the rules that border us ultimately for the sake of success. 

we are called to be as a farmer: Enjoying the fruits of ministry, and celebrating the movement of God through human beings!

the game of telephone

2tim2.1-7

1 Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.  Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 

Have you ever played the game telephone? The one where you sit in a large circle and one person comes up with some sort of saying maybe: "The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step", they whisper it into the ear of the person beside them, who then has to repeat it whispering it to the person next to them, and so on until the message has made it to the final person in the line of the chain.  Then their task is to announce the message that they have received, or more importatnly how they have received it. So boldly they proclaim "The yearning of thousands of smiles begs the first snip" and everyone laughs at how the message was able to become so tainted by passing only through 10-12 ears. 

When I read this message from Paul to Timothy, I see accountability in action.  First and foremost as is a continual theme throughout this letter is the reminder that Timothy is not doing this on his own, but that is to be strong through the grace that God gives him through Jesus. 

But then Paul goes on to remind Timothy of the teachings, or the message, that Paul had taught to young Timothy, and reminds him of this Accountability.  He says "You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses".  You see Paul was not coming up with new ideas, and new theologies, he was affirming the true theology that he and many other believers already had known and experienced through that theology coming to life.  Paul just put it into words.  Glorious words.  But he reminds Timothy, that these words are not just something he thought up and taught.  Instead they are teachings and messages that have been put into words by the affirmation and confirmation of reliable witnesses.  Paul did not walk with Christ, but Paul did walk with those who walked with Christ.  I imagine the discussions an excited Paul would have late at night with the apostles, and friends like Luke.  Asking them to tell more of the stories of Christ's life, more of the Parables that he shared, more of the example he lived.  And then formulating truths based on such accounts to provide us with the messages we have today.  I would love to have been in Paul's Shoes. 

Essentially what Paul was doing was a bit like playing telephone, but cheating!  You see he would get a message from an apostle, and then say it back to the apostle out loud.  Then he would get another message from another reliable source, and share both messages between the 2 to make sure the message was still the same.  And then Paul began sharing these messages, always being in check with those who could affirm and confirm his words. So the final message that we as believers are able to receive is not a distorted and tainted truth, but it is the same truth that came from those who walked and talked with Jesus.  HOW COOL!

And so Paul goes on to finish explaining to Timothy that Timothy must also do the same.  He is to teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

I imagine what the Gospel would look like if it were simply done as a game of Telephone.  But truthfully I also know that our messages can become like that of a game of Telephone when we do not have people in our life affirming and confirming our messages.  When there is no accountability.  I remember meeting a travel speaker on time and talking with him.  He was bold, he was intense, he was charismatic.  And I remember asking him what church was his home church, and having him tell me that he did not have a church, that he didn't really believe in the institution of church, and he was gone speaking all the time anyway to have any real home congregation.  I left that time with him thinking "who is keeping this guy accountable?". who is making sure he is not teaching heresy and poor doctrine and creating a web of tainted truths and messages?

This reminder from Paul to Timothy is a reminder to us all of the importance of such community and accountability and a reminder of the importance of how we handle the word of God and the truths within rich affirmed theology.