October 3 - 2 Timothy 2: Basic Essentials

I can tell when I'm moving away from the gospel, away from God's Spirit empowering all that I am and do. I become impatient, irritable, and burdened by tasks and emotions. I petulantly wonder why life has to be so difficult and why at least some things can't go my way. (To see my ridiculousness in writing is very humbling.)

Not only is this state of mind completely void of reality, it's also as far from Jesus as I can get. My flesh gets the best of me, and I once again become a willing slave to sin.

Instead of focusing on the many difficulties in front of him, Paul uses this last letter to implore Timothy to set his mind on the gospel, on the reality of who Jesus is and what He's done for us.

Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead...This is a sure thing: 

If we die with him, we'll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we'll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he'll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up - for there's no way he can be false to himself. (2:8-13) 

Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. (2:14)

In doing so, the difficulties and disappointments don't magically disappear - as evidenced by the lives of Jesus, Paul, and countless believers throughout the ages - but the truth comes sharply into focus.

"If Paul took the pulpit in one of our churches today, I can't imagine he'd leave any doubt that we're out of line when we expect (or worse, insist) that our lives move along smoothly...From a jail cell, he's exhorting Timothy to tell the same story that earned Paul a death sentence, to live the same life that ruined any chance Paul had for an easy existence. Like no other, this letter forever destroys the illusion that You call us to struggle-free maturity." 66 LL

Paul encourages me to press on into the fray, to run after mature righteousness - faith, love, peace - joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. (2:22) He tells me to cling to Jesus, trusting that His grace is sufficient, that His power is made perfect in my weakness, that to live is Christ, that the Lord is enough for me. Paul confirms that Jesus "frees [me] to endure whatever hardships lie ahead without indulging [my] still-alive spirit of entitlement by justifying illegitimate relief." 66 LL

And in every situation, always remembering the basic essentials:

"I am for you. My Son is with you. My Spirit is in you. Never forget that as you hear My instructions. My instruction are always an invitation to life." 66 LL