Peace in the Midst of Chaos

 While the world is losing their mind, crying about how unfair life is or completely undone based on who has a political position, I can have peace.  God alone controls my life and the world around me.  How sad it must be to think I would be at the mercy of each ever-changing season or circumstance of life.  Clearly, where there is no God, there is no peace, no hope.

God allowed Israel to be taken captive as slaves.  Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, and eventually decapitated. Jesus Christ, submitted Himself to Pilate recognizing that God was sovereign even over the ordering of His own death.   And every situation that befalls me personally, has been sifted through His hands, and if so,  He has ordained that for me (like it or not).  He has something to teach me or a quality to develop in me.  I do not need to fight it or despise it, lest I find myself in opposition to God’s will for me… essentially telling Him, “You got this wrong.. You don’t know what You’re doing”... God forbid.

I am not to be a social justice warrior or a political activist, but a Kingdom Ambassador.  And perhaps, show a lost, frightened, frustrated soul that there is a God on the throne who reigns perfectly over all the earth, who forgives all my sin, gives new life and hope, and brings peace to the soul, even in this crazy world.   

If my hope lies in earthly powers, in government leaders, in my economic or social status, or if it causes me to treat others contrary to God’s command to love, then I have missed the gospel.  If I treat you with preference or disdain based on your skin color, your political party affiliation, your gender or income, I have missed the gospel.  I don’t have to feel out of control, because my Savior keeps the planets in orbit, ordains rulers, and knows each hair on my head (and that changes hourly).

Lord, keep my eyes on You.  Set my mind on things above, where Christ is, and where Christ is, there is peace.

 

 

John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.   Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.

  1 Timothy 2:1-2 "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  Galatians “the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….”)

Justice, Mercy and Amorites

We interrupt our usual book study for an "AHA" moment ....

Genesis Chapter 15. So much good stuff: God cuts covenant with Abram, The Seed and the land are promised, and then He foretells of Israel's Egyptian captivity. Which is wild because at this point, Abram is childless, doesn't yet have Isaac, who will then have Jacob, whose name will be changed to Israel and become a nation.) This was so over the top... mind-blowing. So much. So rich.

But in the middle of these riches that we could ponder for years, since the initial 'read-through', I get stuck in this little phrase: Genesis 15:16 says Israel will return to the land in the 4th generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete. I haven't been able to get this out of my head since I first read it last week.

The Amorites were wicked. When they have 'completed their iniquity', when it reaches the tipping point, when the cup of their sinfulness is 'maxed out', He will be "done" with them. His justice will be executed. I think we all find comfort in knowing that His justice will not be restrained forever.

I was also amazed at the mercy of God. He will bring Israel back into the land that He is promising Abram, but not until the Amorites iniquity is full. He is going to give them time and God is willing to let His children wait until then. God was staying His hand of justice, giving a literal 'grace period' for repentance, unless they would reach the point of no return... until their cup of iniquity was full. How merciful.

If it were not for His patient mercy with us, we would be hopelessly lost. If it were not for knowing that one day He will say "That's it - game over", we would lose heart with the wickedness around us.

I am sure I will be pondering this for a lonnnnggggg time.

2 Timothy 4 - Finale - Get Kleenex

 

11 Only Luke is with me....13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come--and the books, especially the parchments... 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.  17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!  21a Do your utmost to come before winter.... 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

.....and more Kleenex please.   Only Luke is with me... the only one around at the very end... a true friend and faithful companion over so many years has been showing up.... likely peeking his head into the cold, stone pit where his friend sits chained. Some believe he may have even written this letter that Paul was sending Timothy.  Some think he may have been there at his public execution... that would be a sweet comfort to rest his eyes on the face of a dear friend... we don't know for sure.     

Paul's letter is packed with encouragement, instruction and information Timothy will need as he is passed the baton.  As dire as Paul's situation is, it is never the focus, but there are signs of his current state. Paul is pretty much alone still. 😔 Forsaken by many😞 (v16).   His body is cold🥶 (v13, 21).  He wants the books and parchments, God's very word to comfort his soul🤗.   We don't know if Timothy made it to Rome in time to see his 'father-in-the-faith' again.  I really hope so... but what a relationship they shared.  

God has delivered Paul from persecutions and desperate situations over and over.  He sustained him, strengthened him, stood by his side, and each time Paul 'got back up' and continued his gospel mission, regardless of the scars, the aches, the opposition and imprisonments (v17,18).  I wonder if Paul almost felt a sense of relief from all his battles....  to think that the next time he would 'get back up', he would likely be helped by the nail-scarred hand of His Lord, welcoming home His weary warrior who poured out every last drop .... as His Savior did for him.

2 Timothy 4:11,19,20-21 - Good Guys and Marky Mark

 

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21b Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

Paul writes like I speak.... starts here, interjects then goes back, so I'm putting the 'good guys' together.   It's like a final inventory of relationships, and an update to Timothy of what's going on in the church at large. He remembers Priscilla and Aquilla and Onesiphorus - they left a mark on his heart.. a good one he could remember and draw strength from in hard times.  But my favorite part... what I love most of all that he asks for Mark.  Follow me for a minute... it's worth it.

In Acts 15 (v36 to the end), Paul and Barnabus were besties, setting out to re-visit all the places they had preached to gospel to see how the churches were doing.  Barney wanted to bring John Mark, and there was a 'big bestie beef' over it.  John Mark had bailed on them in Pamphylia when things got tough, and Paul didn't want to have to count on someone he couldn't count on, so they split up.  

John Mark is the Mark mentioned here in 2 Timothy! The one who is now helpful/useful... the one he wants Timothy to bring to him so he can help in ministry.  💖 After just having told Timothy that Demas traded sanctification for destruction, it must have soothed his soul to see that Mark was back on track, serving Christ, and that he would be helpful. 𝅘𝅥𝅯Reunited and it feels so good𝅘𝅥𝅯. He wanted Timothy to know that now he could count on Mark too.   Ministry isn't a job to Paul ... it's an investment of his heart and soul into others, and it can bring such a weight of disappointment, and yet also the greatest of joys. I can almost imagine a smile as he mentions Mark's name. 

Note to self: never give up on others... ya never know what God will do in the future (just look in the mirror ;)

2 Timothy 4:10, 14-15 - The Bad Legacies

 

10 ...Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.... 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when He comes for you....

Paul has given his ministry's summation and now he is updating Timothy on some others.  Demas bailed.  Must have hurt Paul just to say it.  Demas had sent him greetings along with Luke (Colossians 4:14), with Epaphras, Aristarchus and Mark (Philemon 1:24)...  he seemed to be 'one of them'... he hung out with the "A" team.  Then Demas left because he loved the world (James says if you love the world you make yourself an enemy of God) ... Demas traded his soul for earthly pleasure.  He is ending his race.  He ran back. Didn't finish.  No crown waiting. Just a T-shirt and a legacy... a bad one.

Then there is Alexander the coppersmith.  Likely the guy he mentioned in his first letter to Timothy (1:20) who was with Hymenaeus (one of the vessels of dishonor in chapter 2) ... they were blasphemers to be 'handed over to Satan' (yikes!)  Bad dude.  Caused Paul a lot of trouble... and Paul asked God to give him what he deserves 😟.  He warns Timothy of the potholes in the road ahead... those he needs to watch out for... the bad boys, deserters and trouble makers.  

If anyone has cause to quit, it was likely Paul.  But he didn't quit... it's all part of the journey for him.  Leading God's people isn't what the sheep think it is.... it's loving and feeding the flock... and protecting them from the wolves.. it is exhausting and often heart-breaking.  Encourage and thank your pastor today. And don't be a Demas.

 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 - Fought The Good Fight

 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

😭 This is the last chapter of the last letter that Paul will write.  The last of the remaining apostles has given his final dose of encouragement to young Timothy.  There is nothing left to give... he has been poured out as a drink offering.  

To the nation of Israel, this was very familiar.   After a lamb was slain and offered on the altar, the priest would pour out wine on it, signaling the end of the sacrifice.  The Lamb of God had been slain.  Paul has poured out his last few drops, spent in what Christ has called him to do, as if it were the wine offering. Nothing left to give. He ran the race, he fought the good fight and he can almost see the finish line. 

I can't help but imagine how tired and weary he must be. All that awaits is his execution... not something he seems fearful of, but sees as the doorway to eternity and to a crown of righteousness from the righteous Judge. 

Such a legacy.... to be able to proclaim that you have given all for the Savior.  To know there was nothing you held back.  I am both impressed by this level of devotion and I cringe at my own lack thereof. I want to be able to say those words when I breathe my last.   I want to fight the good fight, leave it all on the field, and finish well.... every last drop poured out.

 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 - Preach the Word

 

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:  2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The imprisoned apostle is coming to the end of his letter and the end of his life.  He uses some strong words with his successor.  "I charge you before God & the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead" (v1).   This will sure make you stand up straight and pay attention.   Timothy won't answer to Paul ... he will answer to God.  Paul's strongest exhortation is "preach the word" (v2) and he tells him to do it,  with strong conviction, because he knows what happens if they listen to the 'smooth talkers' (v3) that he has mentioned several times in this letter. If they don't hear and know the truth, they'll be under the spell of the fairy tales, and doomed as a result.     

This scripture is as necessary today as it was then.  People fill church buildings to hear  'believe in yourself'. 'love yourself', or 'here are 5 steps to improve your relationships'. Then there are the health, wealth and prosperity preachers,  who are also tickling ears and feelings of the biblically ignorant... spreading the lies that God wants you healthy and wealthy, leading the sheep straight to the wolf dens.  Some things never change, but the consequences are eternal.

Preachers were busy becoming liked and popular, much like today, more like 'life coaches' than Bible teachers.  They dress like 'bros', tell cute stories about themselves and appeal to the fleshly desires of the carnal mind and draw people away from the truth that saves.  That's why Paul uses such a strong exhortations... souls hang in the balance.  

"Preach the word".... in season and out.... when they want to hear it or not... when they applaud your and when they complain about the message... you don't change the content or your style... you preach the Word... not your words,  God's word.  It's not going to be easy, you're not going to be popular, it's going to take diligence and people will mock you.  That's why he tells Timothy to be watchful, to endure hardship and fulfill his ministry.  

  As he prepares to say 'farewell', he stresses with all he has left, that Timothy needs to 'preach the word' at all costs.  Paul has been watchful, endured hardship and fulfilled his ministry, and he exhorts Timothy before God to do the same.  The word of God is the power the Holy Spirit uses to bring conviction and salvation.  Paul knows it is life-changing. It changed his life and it changed Timothy's and it changed our own.  It is the reason he has endured his hard ministry. It is the reason that he is certain that he will soon be at the feet of his Redeemer.   Of all the things he wants to emphasize to his apprentice before he expires, it's this - Preach the word Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:10-17 He Saw It Lived - He Knows the Book.

2 Timothy 3: 10-17  10  But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

Paul's life is the antithesis of the previous passage.  Rather than throw off restraint, he disciplines himself.  Instead of loving self, he sets himself aside and loves his Master, his co-workers and the flock.  He doesn't go off to follow his dreams, but to fulfill the great calling on his life to the glory of God.  He will gladly choose to be a slave to Christ over being a slave to self.   He knows that self is a demanding task master... I think we all get to a point where we know how true that is.

But how would young Timothy know what to do?   

He saw it lived and he 'knows the book'.

He saw it lived before him. Timothy witnessed Paul's teachings, purpose, his ongoing persecution, stonings, and sufferings which continue even as he writes this letter.   I'm sure the apprentice watched with admiration at such a demonstration of perseverance in the midst of great rejection and physical pain.  There was a living epistle before him who was willing to give up everything, pick up his cross and follow Christ.   A powerful example that we need to see and we need to be.  'I showed you how it's done Timothy... you saw it all ... your turn' (my words)

He knows the book.  The apprentice knew.  The sacred writings were shared, taught and preached into his soul by his family since he was a kid, and later by Paul. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he knows God's word to be the instruction manual for teaching, for correcting the gibberish others taught, for how to live in a hostile environment, and glorify the Father.  It has all he needs to know to accomplish God's will for him and finish the race.

We saw it.  We have seen the posers, the sweet-talking-money-hungry-charletons (#somanyhyphens) .... but we have seen the real deal too!   Those who endure situations that make us wince at the thought.  The ones who give wise counsel from His word. The ones whose words point us to the glorious, gracious, all-sustaining Father.  We have seen them. We watch them live their faith.

We know the book.  I think much of my extreme reverence for Scripture comes from having seen a 'Martyr's Bible' in a scriptorium.  The faint shadow of the blood stain of it's owner still visible on the pages.  I'll never shake that feeling... frozen in awe, eyes filling with tears, the reality of it was overwhelming.  These are the words of life to our soul.  Timothy knew that.   The owner of that Bible knew that.  We need to read it enough so that we can have the instruction we need, to prepare us for what He calls us to do, in a way that brings Him glory.

See it - don't sit in for the 'Sunday show' but watch the lives of the faithful.  Their examples will inspire you to do the same.  If you can remember just one thing from reading these, let it be this: "read the book.... it will change your mind, your heart and your life".... the book people lost their lives for. The book that shows us the heart of God and the will of God for our lives.

Timothy had all he needed.   He saw it lived.  He had the Book.   So do we.

2 Timothy 3: 1-9, 13 Self Love, End Times & False Teachers

 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 13    1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.

After the first 4 verses, it's pretty obvious that Paul's words were prophetic. While there has always been self-centeredness in our culture, most commentators agree that the idea is that it would become more intense and more extreme..... and here we are today.  Unrestrained self-worship. 

We take the King of Glory from His throne and replace Him with "ME".  Proud boasters, headstrong and haughty, they love themselves, money, their own pleasures.  Idol worship at its finest.  

And their lifestyles reflect that fact.  Rather than live as God intends, they rebel against Him.  You can spot it by their conversation (blasphemers, slanderers, proud boasters) their attitudes (unthankful, unloving, unforgiving, disobedient to parents) and their actions (no self control, brutal, traitors, hating what is good).  They are deceived  and they seek to deceive (v13) others, and eventually they'll be exposed.

Paul tells Timothy to 'stay away' from them.  They may seem religious (v5) but they want to hijack others, especially these 'thirsty women' who are easily sucked in.  

The false teachers and the pagan culture will whisper these things to us, to our friends and our kids.  Sadly they are like a predator, waiting to pounce.  Their favorite prey are women tangled up with desires -  empty souls.  Rather than embracing God's truth, they buy the lies: "You're enough, you are worthy, follow your dreams, it's all about you" and they will fill the emptiness with the sweet-talk because it seems to soothe their thirst.. but it's temporary and deadly.  It's like drinking salt water... it may feel wet going down but it will rot you inside.   Like our girlfriend at the well.... forever hoping the next guy or the next thing will satisfy these longings.  You see, we are not worthy - it's not about us - and we are not enough.  Our flesh is an all-consuming monster. "Self" is a bottomless pit that will never be satisfied until the Holy Spirit moves in.  If we stop and think, we all know that is true on a personal level.

In his last correspondence, Paul reminds his successor what to be on guard for.  He will have to protect the flock from these people.  We have to protect ourselves from these lies.   We have to protect our children from being drawn in as well.   Paul is getting ready to tell Timothy how to do it. 

Perilous times come in the last days and these are the signs.  Self-love, self-exaltation,  and rebellion against all that is holy.  Not unlike Noah's days. Certainly a reflection of today's self-centered, indulgent, anti-Christ culture.  It would be too disturbing if it weren't for the fact that it means the return of our King.  The only one who belongs on the throne of our hearts.