Month: November 2012

Imposters

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” 2 Timothy 3:12

This is a verse we may wish was not in the Bible and a brief look at its context is even more disturbing. In this chapter Paul describes for Timothy the source of the persecution and its nature.

The source is not the heathen world as we might easily think. As we read that the persecutors are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (vv 3 & 4) we conclude they must be the heathen of the world. But is that what Paul writes? Following this description of the persecutors of those who live godly lives Paul tells Timothy who they are: “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (v 5). Those who meet the description Paul has given are not the heathen but those who profess godliness. They are both deceived and deceivers (v 13). They are revealed by their attitude and actions toward the truly godly.

The truly godly follow and teach sound Biblical teaching and live without hypocrisy (v 10). Like Paul, they will be on the receiving end of the slander and persecutions of those who prefer religion than an intimate walk with Jesus Christ (v 11).

Paul also reminds Timothy how the imposters became as they are by explaining what Timothy must do if we are not to be an imposter. To sum up verses 15-17, the wise will treat the Bible like we would any other literature. These verses make no sense if people can ascribe whatever meaning they think appropriate to a passage.

The imposters do not treat the Bible like they would any other literature. They may study it (v 7) but because they do not take it in the usual literal sense that the intended readers would ascribe they never come to a knowledge of the truth and neither will they grow in the knowledge and understanding of God (v 9). Paul writes, “From such people turn away” (v5).

If we do not read, meditate on and study the Bible in the normal literal sense we will leave ourselves stagnant and foolish, ignorant and without understanding, at loss now and eternally, uncorrected when in error and not instructed in righteous living being blissfully ignorant of it. There’s more, they will never progress further toward maturity and will remain unequipped to serve Jesus Christ (vv 16, 17).

If we refuse to allow ourselves to be in situations where we might be persecuted by the ungodly we will become just like them. Any neglect of the Bible will also place us with the imposters being ignorant, foolish and all the more easily deceived by them.

To which group do you want to belong? The default position is that of being against Jesus Christ and His godly followers. It will take time, effort and experience to remain walking with the godly (cf. Psalm 1:1-3). It all begins with an act of will and choice to identify with the crucified and risen Christ rather than have a life without Him.

Power to Overcome

“… God and Saviour who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

For an aeroplane to fly there are a number of laws that are taken into consideration and are either utilised or need to be overcome. The laws that most readily come to mind are the law of aerodynamics and the law of gravity. The law of gravity will not go away and neither does the law of aerodynamics cease to exist even if nothing is utilising it. They always remain. We cannot simply turn them off as we do a light in our home.

The law of aerodynamics requires motion to be effective and energy is needed to effect that motion. In gliders that energy comes from the sun but most aeroplanes depend on engines to give them the required motion to bring the law of aerodynamics into effect.

In the verse quoted above Paul writes to Timothy clearly stating that God’s will is that every person should be saved. Peter and the writer of Hebrews write the same thing (2 Peter 3:9; Hebrews 10:10; cf Romans 6:10). Equally clear in the Bible is that few will be saved (Matthew 7:13-15).

There are two laws in the Gospel of Christ that act in relation to each other much like the laws of gravity and aerodynamics. If the law of aerodynamics is not utilised an object will inevitably succumb to the law of gravity. For an aeroplane and its passengers that can be catastrophic. In like manner if the law of grace in Christ Jesus is not utilised a person succumbs to the law of God’s holiness and that is also catastrophic. For a plane to overcome gravity it requires energy. For a person to escape the law of sin and death he/she requires the grace of God through Jesus Christ (vs 5, 6).

Whether an aeroplane in the air or a sinner before our Holy God, whatever happens the laws are fulfilled. If an aeroplane crashes all the laws pertaining to it are fulfilled. It crashed because it did not have the power to bring the law of aerodynamics into effect. When a person is not saved all the laws of God are fulfilled. If a person is not saved it is because he/she had no power to bring the law of grace and forgiveness into effect.

It is God’s will that all be saved but it is only those who receive the grace of God in Jesus Christ who will be saved from sin and death. The reason for this is that He alone took away mankind’s sin and therefore He alone is the Mediator between God and men (v 5). Jesus Christ alone has the power to deal with man’s sinfulness. As Luke writes, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It was His blood alone that was shed on the cross at Calvary.

We who have received the grace of God in Jesus Christ now have the privilege and responsibility to tell others so that they may come to the knowledge of the truth and receive the gift of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, just as we have been so graced.

Heavenly Minded

“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Whenever we meet someone who is really living for Jesus in the way Jesus spoke and Paul writes we are inclined to think they are a bit fanatical, maybe a lot fanatical. The Christian of the twenty first century has little opportunity to observe such people. We find them in the biographies of past times. We have generally succumbed to insipid mediocrity being more concerned that a truly spiritual life might offend others in the church and would isolate us. We find it easier to please people than to please Jesus. Paul wrote, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men … for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23, 24). Each of us must ask ourselves whether we really do serve Jesus or just ourselves.

If we live as Paul exhorts we will find others who also live that way with whom we can have a more vital friendship and kinship. Also, if we walk in the manner he describes we may be a means of encouraging others to do the same.

Earlier in his letter Paul had given two instructions that if any Christian will follow would set them on a path walking with Jesus Christ. The way he presents it is that it is the reasonable way of life for a person who is a Christian: “If then (since) you were raised with Christ” (3:1).

The two overriding instructions guide us as to the general activity and attitude of our lives if we are walking with Jesus.

The preoccupying activity of a spiritual Christian is, “seek(ing) those things which are above” (v1). The reason for this Paul writes is that Jesus is there with the Father. It is for us to assess our own lives as to whether we are seeking things above or below.

Secondly, Paul writes that we would do well to set our minds on things above (v 2). While we do live in this world temporarily, the things above are eternal. “The things of earth will grow strangely dim” the song writer reminds us so why not start now?

An inevitable future experience for a Christian is motivation for us to live this way. Jesus who is our life will appear and we shall appear with Him in glory (v 3). Paul wants us to be ready for the day Jesus comes to receive us to Himself. Seeking heavenly things and having our mind on things above will guide us into wisdom for living and affect how we live today.

Jesus and Paul both exhort us to be heavenly minded and not earthly minded, to have our minds set on things eternal and to seek things above. Does that sound fanatical or is it the normal Christian life as Paul sees it?

This is indeed the normal Christian life but it does not appear to be very common. We will never be as heavenly minded as Jesus and may not match Paul for heavenly mindedness either but that is no reason not to set our minds and hearts to live this normal Christian life. It is a path that finds its goal in Jesus “Christ who is our life.” Amen.

Prepare for His Coming

“You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:8)

All of the New Testament writers make mention of the Lord Jesus’ return. The reasons for their reference may vary a little but by their mention of Jesus’ return they reveal that it is not just a theological or doctrinal concept but a very real and personal expectation even in the face of mocking and criticism.

That Jesus would come on two occasions is camouflaged in the Old Testament but is made clear by Jesus Himself. In John 14:3 Jesus is emphatic that He will both leave His disciples for a time and will come again to receive them at a later time.

On several occasions the Apostle Paul mentions the second coming of the Lord Jesus for His church. In 1 Corinthians 15 he comments that in an instant all living believers will be changed from this corrupted humanity to a body without corruption and from mortality to immortality (vv 51-54). In this wonderful chapter on the assurance of resurrection for believers Paul associates our bodily resurrection with Jesus’ coming again (v 22).

The second coming of Jesus was a source of comfort and joy for Paul in regard to his love for believers (1 Thessalonians 2:19). He reveals that Jesus’ coming for believers is before the outpouring of God’s wrath on an unbelieving world (1:10; 5:9). It is also motivation for fervent prayer for believers (3:13) and comfort concerning believers who have died prior to His second coming (4:16; 5:11). This letter appears to be preoccupied with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and what that means for Christians. Indeed, he too is emphatic regarding the return of the Lord Jesus (5:24).

James mentions the return of the Lord Jesus with regard to our manner of life while waiting (5:7, 8). Waiting as a farmer waits for the rain suggests that we should be using the waiting time to prepare for His coming. John affirms this as a right response to the revelation of His imminent return (2:28).

Peter also affirms the second coming of Jesus as faithful teaching (2 Peter 1:16) and that the scoffers that arise through the years before the event will be thoroughly discredited when He does appear (3:1-13). Peter is not referring to Jesus coming for the church but to Israel to establish His earthly kingdom. The two are linked as the Day of the Lord but occur a little more than seven years apart.

Peter tells us that the world will scoff at the notion of Jesus coming again inferring that He is a liar, impotent or unfaithful to His promises. Their argument is based on wishful thinking and the apparent delay in His coming. Peter reminds such thinkers that the delay is to give people, including the scoffers, opportunity to have a change of mind and heart and not for any lack in Jesus. “The Day of the Lord will come,” writes Peter, and when Jesus comes nothing will impede Him in the slightest.

As James encourages, let us prepare ourselves for Jesus’ coming without regard to the scoffers. Each day brings us inexorably a day closer to His coming when we shall see Him face to face. Surely this is joy and comfort to all who Know Jesus Christ.