II Timothy IV: Rescue

II Timothy IV

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom (II Timothy 4:18 ES)

Rescue

I have been involved, on both sides of the equation, in some rescues.  And these rescues tend to have three things in common.

First, the person in trouble must realize they are in trouble.

Second, the rescuer should have the necessary abilities to rescue.

Third, a rescue has to be successful to be called a rescue.

I recall a small sailboat on the other side of a wind-whipped lake.  I and a friend took a speed boat through the storm, and helped the sailor stave off disaster.  He needed help, and he knew it.    My friend and I were well prepared.  We had the right equipment, and both of us knew how to handle a boat.  And in the end, the sailor (and his boat) were rescued.

Those same three elements are involved in Christ’s rescue of His people.  We have to realize that we need help, and that we need help ONLY from Him.  He, alone in the universe, has the ability to rescue His people through His life, death, and life again.  And His rescue of His people worked.  We are rescued.  We are heaven bound, instead of hell bound.

Christ rescues because of all three parts.

II Timothy III: Always

II Timothy III

 …preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (II Timothy 4:2 ESV)

Always

We do not plant flowers in January.  That would be planting out of season. 

When I was growing up, my mom would take us clothes shopping at the end of August.  Just in time for school to start.  We did not generally buy new clothes in February.  That would be out of season.

I do not usually start watching a movie at 11:00 pm.  That would be out of season.

I rarely make a tasty unhealthy snack at 11:55 am.  That would be out of season.

But Christians preach the Word of God w seems like a good time, or not.  Whether our desires, energy, and perceived opportunities make us say, “NOW” or not.

Whether it is the time that seems right to us… in season… or not… out of season.

And preaching the word does not only mean speaking words.  It is always the right season for gospel-ing through acts of kindness, through forgiveness, through patience, through generosity, through protecting the defenseless, through copying Jesus, through smiling warmly often, through remembering the richness of God’s Grace to us... and acting graciously, too.

In season or out of season.

II Timothy II: Rightly

II Timothy II

…rightly handling the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15 ESV)

Rightly

I rejoice that the Bible is available in almost every language.  I even have a Pirate Talk Bible.

But the commonness of Scripture sometimes leads to an unfortunate attitude.  Since we all can read, since we all have the Bible in our language. since the message of the gospel IS clear and understandable…

We begin to think that we get to read and use the Bible in any way we desire… and make it say whatever fits our own worldview.

But Paul, in saying that it is important to RIGHTLY handle the Bible, implies that there are WRONG ways to use it.

Proof texting… lucky dipping… rarely opening it… reading ABOUT the Bible more than reading the Bible… all of these might be wrongly handling the Word of God.

Note… that the Bible will still touch us even if we use it wrongly.

It IS the Word of God.

But using it rightly is just as important as using our phone’s features rightly, or our ice skates rightly, or our engineering caliper rightly, or our espresso machine rightly, or our car’s brakes rightly.

Maybe more so, in fact.

II Timothy I

II Timothy I

…if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (II Timothy 2:13 ESV)

UNEXPECTED

Not only do we humans tend to like someone who first liked us… but we STOP liking someone who first stops liking us.  Whether it is a third-grade crush, a politician, or a dog… we respond to dislike with our own dislike.

More than that, when someone else breaks their word to us, we write them off.  When someone else lies, we write them off.  When someone else shows themselves to be other than what we first hoped or believed, we write them off.

When someone is unfaithful to us, we feel completely justified in breaking off all relationship with them.  They broke the deal first, after all.

It seems just and right for us to act like that.

But that is not how God reacts to our unfaithfulness!

In fact, it is part of who He is… He is faithful to His people, even when we are unfaithful to Him.  He is faithful to His people even though we are unfaithful to Him.

If God acted like us, none of us would survive.

God would respond to our unfaithfulness with a breaking of His salvific promises to us.  It would be fair, after all, by our standards.

But instead… He is faithful to His promises to us… even when we are not.

He does it through the life and work of Christ, the Messiah.

I Timothy IV: Sin-Wrecked

I Timothy IV

For everything created by God is good. (I Timothy 4:4 ESV)

Sin-Wrecked

When things break, I like to know how and why.

It is not enough to know which bolt broke, which electric circuit fizzled, or which bit of plastic wore away.

To fix the broken, it helps to know how and why the broken thing broke.

This is true in auto mechanics, cell phone repairs, gardening, and relationships.

So it matters that when we notice (how can we not?) that our world is broken, that we understand how and why it broke.

What is the origin of bad weather patterns?  What is the origin of increased violence?  What is the origin of society’s polarization?  What is the origin of prejudice, hatred, impatience, and suspicion?

God created everything good.

What happened?

While we might like to blame other folks’ bad decisions, or natural decay of all things, or some particular political group, or strangers… none of those things broke our world.

Sin broke our world.  Breaks our world.  And will continue to break it, for a while.

And knowing that, we know the real solution to what is broken.

The only solution to sin is the Christ.

Of course, I realize that the practical steps needed to fix our broken world take time, understanding, wisdom, and care.

But until the reason for the problem is acknowledged, we will not fix anything.

I have a friend who signs every email, “Jesus fixes everything.”

Because He does.

I Timothy II: King's Job

I Timothy II

 …for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (I Timothy 2:2 ESV)

King’s Job

In society, we usually expect our National Government to model our goals, priorities, and ideas.  If we seek profit, we want our leaders to bring our nation to profit.  If we desire power, we like our leaders to act powerfully.  If we value education, we want our leaders to prioritize education.

It just makes sense.

Notice that Paul prays for his kings to enable citizens to have peaceful and quiet life… more than that, Godly and dignified lives.

Because Paul, not just as a preacher and Bible-writer… but as a Christian, yearns for a peaceful, quiet, Godly, and dignified life.

He does not yearn for power, because Paul knows Christ IS power.  Paul does not yearn for profit because Paul knows Jesus’ words:  "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

He does not yearn for vain knowledge, because he seeks wisdom… in Christ.

So Paul prays that the King, his King, his leaders, will bring to reality what Paul knows society needs.

Let’s join him in that prayer, even in these later years.  We still need it.

I Timothy I: Foremost

I Timothy I

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (I Timothy 1:15 ESV)

Foremost

I have bragged about being the best swordfighter (in seventh grade) using yardsticks as broadswords.  I have bragged about performing many, many weddings.  I have bragged about watching every episode of every Star Trek series.

And I expect people are very impressed with at least some of these.

But is not Paul a little strange to brag about being the foremost sinner?

But it is not false humility.  It is not pride in sin.  It is not self-hatred expressed in self-condemnation.

But as Paul usually does… he is bragging about Jesus.

Paul knows what Paul has done… Paul knows Paul’s sins.  Paul knows Paul’s Sin.  Paul knows that Paul’s insides are a lot messier than people might think.

But Christ is more.

Christ’s sacrificial life, and death, and life, are more.

Christ’s grace is more.

Paul is not bragging about himself, here.  He is bragging about Jesus.

We need more of that kind of bragging.

II Thessalonians III: Busy Bodies or Busybodies

II Thessalonians III

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (II Thessalonians 3:11 ESV)

Busy Bodies or Busybodies

The devil loves idle hands, we say.

Maybe this is a part of why we say that.  Those who are busy at real work, do not usually have time to be busybodies.

And not just ditch digging, roof shingling, laundry washing work.  Certainly, physical labor IS work.  But so is the work of reconciliation, that God calls us to.  So is the work of displaying the gospel, preaching with both words and deeds.  So, too, is work of seeking joy in all things, acknowledging and basking in our Lord’s blessings.

Elsewhere, Paul tells us to work out our salvation, and that, too is a form of work that keeps us from being idle.

Any of those kinds of work keep us from too much focus on other people’s lives.  Be busy, and be less of a busybody.

II Thessalonians II: Believe

II Thessalonians II

…in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (II Thessalonians 2:12 ESV)

Believe

My dog snores.  Without medical assistance, so did I.

The difference between my dog and me, at least in THIS case, is not which of us snores… but rather which of us believes we snore, and did something about it.

The difference between a lying politician and myself is not really the issue of honesty.  While we might differ in degree, we are both liars.  The difference is that I believe the Christ saves me from my lies.

The difference between a greedy money-grubbing thief and me is not really the issue of our greed.  While we might differ in degree, we are both greedy.  The difference is that I believe the Christ saves me from my greed.

The difference between a cursing, foul mouthed gutter dwelling merchant marine and me is not really the issue of our clean mouths.  While we might differ in degree, we both mis-use our tongues.  The difference is that I believe the Christ saves me from my crudeness and blasphemy.

God has many reasons to condemn sinners.  But because He provides a single beautiful answer to our sin, the reason that He DOES condemn is a lack of belief in His Son, the Messiah, the Interceder, the Redeemer.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.

II Thessalonians I: It is YOU

II Thessalonians I

…the rebellion comes first… (II Thessalonians 2:3 ESV)

It’s YOU

I ‘inherited’ from my father an old cabinet radio that was able to tune in around a dozen bands of radio waves… from short wave to FM and everything in between.

I also, at that time, imagined myself a bit of an electronic technician, well beyond my twelve years of age. 

Two of the band-choices did not work.  Even before I started tinkering with the radio.  But I soon discovered that I could not fix it without first breaking it.

So I broke it.

As it happened, I never was able to put it back together correctly.

But the concept was still there.  To fix something, it first has to be broken.

The same is true for Christians.  While many people might read Paul’s writing here to primarily be talking about end-times, I do not.  As I read it, Paul is mostly talking about OUR need for fixing, restoration, redemption, and salvation.

And that starts, from our perspective, with an awareness that we need help.

Our rebellion against God, and our admission of it, is the starting place of our salvation.

Sure, think a bit of some sort of end-times if you want to… but far more urgent, relevant, and important is YOUR end-time.

Know you are broken, so Christ can fix you.

I Thessalonians IV: Holiness

I Thessalonians IV

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. (I Thessalonians 4:7 ESV)

Holiness

Few people want to be known these days as Holy.

An insult for anyone, even Christians, would be to be called “holier than thou.”

But that is very strange.

Because God’s people are called to be Holy. 

Yet we do not like to be noticed for being holy.  We do not want the scowls and sneers of the world directed towards us.

Perhaps because we have so often acted UN-holy in our attitude towards those times we ‘get it right.’  We brag, we seem snooty and superior.  We forget everything about the source of OUR holiness. 

And our neighbors (and the world) do take note, and it is not attractive.

Holiness is not ugly.  Not when it is really holiness… which requires humility, caring, generosity, selflessness, kindness, and Christlikeness.

When we get better at that kind of holiness, it will be grand.

And maybe our society will stop lifting up impurity.

I Thessalonians III: Not About You

I Thessalonians

 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. (I Thessalonians 2:19-20 ESV)

Not About You

One would think that the Apostle Paul would have a few things to boast about when his life was over.  Humbly, of course… but he could point out his sacrificial missions trips.  He could recall his clever arguments before governments and hecklers.  He could remember his intelligence, his education, and his writing skills.

And of course, he could boast in the Lord, as he describes in I Corinthians 1:31.

But Paul finds glory and joy in his spiritual children.

Not in a braggy way.  But Paul, from the end of his training in Arabia after his conversion has had only one thing on his mind.  Introducing others to his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Can’t you see him sitting around a coffee shop, describing the progress his church folk are making in walking with the Lord?  Can’t you see him praying to the boss, giving thanks for the chance to work with believers willing to learn from him?  Can’t you see him eventually smiling while watching heaven’s gates? 

I can.

Paul’s life was not about himself.  And ours shouldn’t be, either.

I Thessalonians II: Pre-Assembled

I Thessalonians II

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. (I Thessalonians 1:4,5 ESV)

Pre-Assembled

I would like to own a hurdy-gurdy.  It is an unusual instrument that could be seen as a bagpipe for strings.  A couple of drones, and a couple of melody strings. 

Hurdy-gurdies are rare… and those who own them have gotten them in one of two ways.  Most people purchase a kit, and do the difficult but rewarding job of putting their hurdy-gurdy together in just the way they desire.

But more and more, players are purchasing pre-made hurdy-gurdies.

It arrives at their door already put together, and ready to make (somewhat) beautiful music.

Many Christians attempt to put together our own faith and relationship with God.

We work hard at it, are encouraged by some gains, and struggle through many shortcomings.

But making our faith on our own like that does NOT work.

It comes from God.  And it comes pre-assembled!

We cannot, in fact, make it ourselves at all.

But we arrive in God’s family completely by God’s work, through Jesus’ life, death, and life again.  He provides the necessary changes, the power, the connection, and the foundation.

It is all Him.

And that makes beautiful music, indeed.

I Thessalonians I: Chosen

I Thessalonians I

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you. (I Thessalonians 1:4 ESV)

Chosen

Whenever I was picked at school for the kickball team, the dodgeball team, the baseball team, or the Red Rover team, it was never because of any athletic skill I possessed.  Because I did not possess any.

I was usually picked last.  Or nearly last. 

Unless the selector was one of my particular friends.

On those occasional occasions, I was picked because I was loved.

It might not have seemed fair… early elementary school nepotism… but it warmed my heart.

God’s choice works the same way.  He does not need me on His team.  He knows my faults, my brokenness, my unreliability, my bad decisions, my sins… but He loves me.

And so He chooses me.  Not instead of anyone else.  Not in comparison to anyone else.  Not out of practical preference.

But because He loves me.

Every one of God’s people is in that exact place, on this same team.

He chooses because He loves.

Colossians VII: The Lynchpin

Colossians VI

…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:13? ESV)

The Lynchpin

The most important part of my pencil is the lead.  Certainly, lead is not the only part, or the most visible part, or the most attractive part.  But without the lead, a pencil is just an empty wood sliver that you can poke things with.

The most important part of Christianity is forgiveness.  God’s forgiveness of His people.  Christ’s active forgiveness through His perfect life, and sacrificial death. And the resulting forgiveness on our part.

Other parts of Christianity are important, too, of course. 

But the lynchpin is forgiveness.

It holds our relationship to God together.  Without His forgiveness, we have no relationship. 

It holds our relationships with each other together.  Without forgiveness, we have no relationships.

Forgive.

Colossians VI: Continuity

Colossians VI

Luke, the beloved physician greets you.  (Colossians 4:14 ESV)

Continuity

Many authors and writers, when they produce multiple works, include connections between their stories.  Stephen King writes more and more of his popular stories in overlapping locations…. most of them in a small Maine town.  Marvel Comics often has crossover events including characters from various story lines.  And director John Hughes included many Easter Eggs (small often unnoted events or items) in his films that provides subtle connections between them.

And the author of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, does the same thing.  While the Bible is sixty-six individual books, it is also one book.  And that often provides connections between the events and concepts.

Luke is known from the book of Acts, and from authorship of the Gospel According to Luke… and here he shows up in Colossians, as well!

Because the Bible is one book.  And the message in it is one message.  And the God it comes from is One True God.

Colossians V: Practical Stuff

Colossians IV

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  (Colossians 3:2 ESV)

Impractical Stuff

It is popular to accuse some folk of being “so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.”  I think I understand this accusation, but adherence to this concept can actually be spiritually dangerous.

When we are earthly minded, earthly motivated, earthly comfortable, our minds no longer attach to Christ.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be heavenly aimed.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be founded on things above.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be focused on things above.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be understood in the light of things above.

In THAT way… be more impractical!

Colossians IV: Impractical Stuff

Colossians IV

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  (Colossians 3:2 ESV)

Impractical Stuff

It is popular to accuse some folk of being “so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.”  I think I understand this accusation, but adherence to this concept can actually be spiritually dangerous.

When we are earthly minded, earthly motivated, earthly comfortable, our minds no longer attach to Christ.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be heavenly aimed.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be founded on things above.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be focused on things above.

In fact, every thought, every word, every deed needs to be understood in the light of things above.

In THAT way… be more impractical!

Colossians III: Fun Distractions

Colossians III

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

Fun Distractions

Many years ago, a friend and I rebuilt a 1965 Chevrolet Panel Truck.  In today’s jargon, it was an SUV.  We bought it cheap, and planned to upgrade the engine, refinish the exterior, and pep up the interior.

It was our summer project.  We planned to use all of our spare time (we each had paying summer jobs) and sell it in September for a profit, after learning some things about mechanics, painting, and decorating.

We were successful, but over the summer we had a lot of arguments.

Was it worthwhile replacing all of the interior lights with faux chandeliers?  Did we really need to individually polish each lug nut? How many coats of dark blue pain were really required to create the illusion of deep water? Should we carpet the ceiling as well as the floor and walls of the back chamber? 

And as we researched, we found ourselves distracted by so many new areas of knowledge.  Which motor oil is best for which season? What is the exact amount of air pressure for the rear tires, as opposed to the front? Which shades of blue and off-white best create the appearance of water moving? What style of seat would impress the girls of our school? Or not?

None of those decisions or areas of knowledge were a waste of time.  But most of them were distractions from our intended goal. 

So, too, are many of the things on which we spend time.  College football is entertaining, but it might be a stretch to explain how it improves my walk with Jesus.  Evaluating the latest Internet Conspiracy Theory might seem like a search for truth, but it rarely leads to more knowledge of God’s Amazing Grace.  Learning four new ties for fly casting might improve your peace and relaxation at some point, but it does not easily lead to a better grasp of Christ’s peace.

Those things are not bad, evil, or a waste.

But they might be a distraction for you.  Evaluate your use of time by seeing how readily such things shine a light on Jesus… and then figure out how to shine MORE, or find better reflectors.