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2 Timothy 4 - Redeemed

How do you know if someone has truly forgiven you of something? What is the litmus test if there is one? I think one test would be in how you speak about the person that injured you, disappointed you, or that you disagreed with.

In this chapter I find evidence of forgiveness, I find evidence of redemption.

To set the story we need to jump about a bit in the New Testament. First we go to Jerusalem when Paul set out on one of his missionary journeys.

Acts 12:25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Apparently there was a problem with Mark because Paul had a terrible argument with Barnabas about bringing his cousin John-Mark (Mark) along on their next missionary trip. Paul didn't want to bring him and Barnabas did. Bible scholars believe that Mark got home-sick and returned home.

Acts 15:36-40 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Quite a bit of time passes and we see Mark pop up again. This time however, he is helping Paul while Paul is in prison. He is no longer on Paul's person-non-grata list.

Philemon 1:23-25 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Mark gets sent by Paul to encourage the Colossian church along with words of commendation.

Colossians 4:10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Then in Paul's final letter, just prior to his death, he asks for Mark to return to him, to assist him in ministry.

2 Timothy 4:9-11 Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

There has been a redemption of Mark's life. He now has value to Paul. He is no longer a source of contention, he is a source of help. The same Mark that Paul didn't even want to be around twenty years earlier is now highly thought of and praised.

Heavenly Father, may I have the courage of Barnabas of say to those that perhaps are my betters, "No, I see great potential in this one. I will not leave him behind." Lord, help me to truly forgive those that may have hurt me in the past and welcome them into service if indeed they are changed. May I not hold any grudges so that I am not a hindrance to the work that You want to do through and with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

You are of value to me. Jan
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2 Timothy 3 - Fully Equipped

It is interesting to me to read the following passage, not only because of its wonderful content, but because of the often faulty lens through which we view it.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Paul is talking to Timothy about the Scriptures and their immense value. But wrap your brain around this idea. He isn't talking about the New Testament. He is talking about the Old! The New Testament didn't exist yet and Paul's writings wouldn't be declared "scripture" for centuries to come. The first time I read this passage with this understanding, it hit me square between the eyes like a two by four.

We Christians are so fond of calling the New Testament the scriptures, and quickly discount the Old Testament as archaic and "passed away". Yet, Paul clearly is saying that the Old Testament is what  made Timothy wise to salvation. He further adds that the words of the Old Testament are the words that thoroughly equip Timothy for every good work - not his letters or the historical accounts of the life of Jesus.

I have noticed an interesting phenomenon in doing dBrag now for these past few months. When we study an Old Testament book, the emails, and apparent quantity of people reading along, drop dramatically. Then when we study a New Testament book, there is renewed interest. I think this is because we are so used to hearing the New Testament and are so familiar with its writings and stories, that we don't have to work very hard to glean God's truth from them. But Paul clearly says that we must work at this if we are to reap the full benefits of God's word.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I think it is kind of like chewing. If we don't chew our food, we will not release all of the nutrients that we can receive from it. Only by dividing it, many times, can we get what is needed for life and health.

Those of us that dine only on the New Testament are not getting a balanced meal. We need our fiber! Add some Old Testament to your diet so that you live a proper, balanced life.

Heavenly Father, help me to not be lazy. I truly want to glean all of the goodness out of my spiritual food - Your Word. May I study to be approved, so that I am fully equipped to serve You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings to you. Jan
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2 Timothy 2 - Companions

Like most men I tend to live a rather insular life. But this is not good, and God is bringing me out of isolation with the help of my bride and my band of brothers. Early on in Genesis God clearly stated we are built for companionship.

Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone...

This verse, although introducing the need for a true help-meet, the bride, also is quite clear in that we are best when in relationship with others like us.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

As John Eldredge accurately says in his book Wild at Heart, "Masculinity bestows masculinity." Only from other men can we truly understand who we are and how we are to fulfill our God given roles as son, single man, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, priest, protector, and warrior.

In today's reading I see this expounded upon yet again.

2 Timothy 2:22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (NLT)

We are told to enjoy the companionship of other Christians. If I read this same passage in the God's Word version, it sheds even more light on this principle.

2 Timothy 2:22 Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.

We are to pursue, or chase after, faith, love and peace, together with others. We are not to be alone.

Thank You Lord for my family, and for my band of brothers; the Wildmen. You have given me more that I could ever hope or ask for. May I bless them as much as they bless me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pursue together... Jan
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2 Timothy 1 - Full View

I'm sure that you've heard the expression, "Can't see the forest through the trees." The meaning of this axiom is that sometimes we are too close to something to truly be able to take all of it in.

Sometimes however, something can be completely seen in its entirety by us, and we still miss it.

A number of years ago I was in a youth service where a team of visiting missionaries came to tell a story. They set up a large white canvas on the stage; like you would paint a painting on. It measured about five feet by five feet. While they spoke, they would dip a brush into black paint and make seemingly random streaks upon the formerly pristine white cloth. When they concluded, they turned the painting upside-down. It was a picture of Jesus with a crown of thorns on his head! It was only when they revealed what was plainly visible in a different way that it came into full view.

2 Timothy 1:9b-10 Before the world began, God planned that Christ Jesus would show us God's kindness. Now with the coming of our Savior Christ Jesus, he has revealed it. Christ has destroyed death, and through the Good News he has brought eternal life into full view.

The Jews had the scriptures, they plainly pointed to a savior. But they didn't see it, they didn't see the plan of salvation. In fact, some of the Jewish religious teachers even denied the very existence of a resurrection.

Luke 20:27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection...

But, when Jesus himself destroyed death - I love the way that is worded - He proved that there is indeed a resurrection of the dead, and that we can share in it too. This is the Good News! This the the eternal life that He brought into full view.

Thank You Lord for not leaving us here to wonder, to hope, to worry, and to die in despair. You, in Your kindness, gave us the gift of eternal life. May I repay You with my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

He lives! Jan
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