Pleased to have
you back again to share more Daily Bread. Be strong. Be meek. These sound like
two totally different qualities, but they work together in a Christian’s
life to make a perfect balance for serving God. As you recall from chapter
1, Paul was talking about strength of spirit to Timothy. Let’s see how he
explains this further.
Be strong in the
Grace that is in Jesus Christ. This sentence works two ways. Forgiveness is
a gentle act, but it takes a strong person to do it. Also, if you’re the
offender, before forgiveness is granted to you, while you are accused, you
are burdened. Forgiveness frees you from that burden and you gain strength
in Grace. So, if you’re strong in the grace of your fellow man, think of how
much stronger even, the grace of Jesus makes you.
Paul adds, And the
things you’ve heard me teach in front of many people, teach the same things
to other believers, which will in turn be able to teach others too.
With your
strength, endure afflictions as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Nobody who
fights for the cause of Christ becomes involved with the affairs of this
life, so that he may please the One who has chosen him to be a soldier.
If a man strives
for masteries, still he is not crowned unless he strives lawfully,
righteously, honestly. The husbandman that labors must be first to receive
of the fruits. Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in
all things.
Okay, let’s back
up a few sentences to make sure that we understand what Paul is saying,
because it may sound like several different subjects that are unrelated. A
person who strives for masteries, is someone who desires superiority in
something. It may be a master’s degree of some kind, or it may be someone
who wants to be a doctor, lawyer, professor, etc. Unless a person pursues
his profession faithfully and honestly, he isn’t recognized.
How do you feel
about being treated by a doctor who didn’t go to medical school? How do you
feel about an athlete when you find out they’ve used steroids to achieve
their accomplishments? Would you ask someone to defend you who didn’t go to
law school and pass the bar exam? Of course not. They are not crowned - or
recognized. (In the ancient Olympics, they used to put a crown of leaves on
the heads of the champions. Also, a king’s crown is a symbol of his
notoriety.)
Moving on to the
next sentence, a husbandman was usually a hired farmer who took care of an
estate owners crops or vineyard. An estate owner usually hired more than one
husbandman, so the husbandman who put forth the greatest effort was first to
receive the fruits.
Still having
trouble figuring out what all these things have in common? Well, if you’re a
good soldier of Jesus Christ, you are one who endures, as Paul said in the
beginning. Only the ones who persevere, who strive for superiority, who
endure afflictions, whether as a soldier, farmer, doctor, or like Timothy,
as a minister of Christ, will be rewarded.
Now Paul relates
this to his situation to make it even clearer to Timothy. Remember that
Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead. This is the
TRUTH which I suffer trouble for, being considered an evil doer that is
worthy of prison, but the Word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all
things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they may also obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It’s a true
saying, For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him, if we
suffer, we shall also reign with Him, if we deny Him, he also will deny us,
if we are faithless, He still remains faithful, He cannot deny Himself
(Romans 6:8).
Remind the people
of these things, instructing them before the Lord so they don’t argue
about words, to no gain, but to the subverting of the hearers.
Study to show
yourself worthy to God, that you are a respectable servant, rightly dividing
(meditating on - contemplating - learning) the Word of TRUTH. But avoid
profane and vain babblings, because they will multiply into more
ungodliness. And their word will fester like a wound. Hymenæus and Philetus have erred (been mistaken - turned away) concerning the
TRUTH, saying that the resurrection is already past, and in doing so, they
turn away the Faith of some other people.
If you’re new to
Christianity, you’ve probably experienced what Paul is explaining to Timothy
here. He stood up for his Faith, and now people that used to be his friends
are turning against him. But notice that it doesn’t sway him one bit. Watch
what he says next.
Nevertheless, the
foundation of God stands steady, having this guarantee,
The Lord knows those that are His (John 10:14, 27).
And
Let everyone that names the name of Christ (claims that
Christ is their Savior), depart from iniquity.
In other words, Paul is saying that Jesus knows who’s who, and anyone who
calls themselves a Christian wouldn’t behave in such a way. Then he uses a
little parable to explain it more.
In a big house (the world) there aren’t only gold cups and silver cups,
but also wood and clay, and some to honor and some to dishonor (some paths
are good, some bad despite appearance). If a man rids himself from these (doesn’t
associate with dishonorable deeds), he shall be a vessel (person) of honor,
sanctified (set apart, made holy), and meet (useful) for the master’s (the
Lord’s) use, and prepared to do good things.
Don’t seek childish desires, but with those who are children of God (with
pure hearts, as children), seek righteousness, Faith, Love and peace. But
foolish and ignorant questions avoid, knowing that they generate strifes
(they cause troubles) and the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be
gentle to all, apt (prepared, ready, quick) to teach, patient, in meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves, if God maybe will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the TRUTH, and that they may recover
themselves out of the trap of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his
will.
What does this
mean? It means that there’s a big difference between being as a child and
being foolish and ignorant. And Paul says, there certainly is such a thing
as a foolish question. (You’ll know it when the person asking it is seeking
contention instead of seeking TRUTH with an open heart and
mind.) Don’t trouble yourself with these, because as a servant of God, you
shouldn’t be frustrated, but rather, patient, and kind in showing people the
opportunity to be saved, then, of course, God does the rest.
They say that experience teaches thoroughly. Paul wrote his epistles,
hoping that his experiences would teach others thoroughly, so they could
carry on the Faith with as little heartache as necessary and enjoy the
fullness of Christ. As Christian soldiers, Paul gives us an ample supply of
ammunition, to help us in our cause, so arm yourself with the Word and
always fight the good fight. Be strong. Be meek. Show Love and Grace.
Come back again soon so we can share more of Paul’s encouragement, right
here at Daily Bread.
