2 Timothy 2:1-10 Hardship - Your Best Life Later

 

2 Timothy 2:1  You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Paul and Timothy are not living "Their Best Life Now".    As he encourages Timothy to be strong and move forward for the cause of the gospel, he tells him he 'must endure hardship'.   I'm sure Paul spent the earlier part of the letter reminding him of his deep love and respect for his co-laborer so that he could also receive some hard truths from him.   Paul gives him three illustrations: 1. A soldier who obeys his commander and endures  difficult situations 2. An athlete who trains hard and obeys the rules of competition and 3. The farmer who exhausts himself working the fields before he later reaps the harvest.  Strong words.  Big commitment.  Single allegiance.

Christ told us  "he who does not forsake everything and pick up his cross and follow me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33).  Those are strong words too.  The prosperity peddlers would have us believe, we should have our 'Best Life Now'... that we are promised health and wealth... so far from the gospel that Christ preached.  No wonder people are disillusioned... they've been sold a cheap imitation..   

For some, following Christ will cost them everything.  Paul, our prisoner in chains for the gospel, reminds his apprentice that he endures suffering too, but while he may be chained, the gospel is not.  

No matter what our goals, life can be a challenge.  If you want to be an athlete, you'll have to ditch the Doritos and work hard.   If farming is your thing, it's gonna require some serious sweat and you're not taking a 2 week vacation during harvest time.  Those in the military have to let someone else give orders ... they say goodbye to civilian life.  Few things of value or impact come without sacrifices... even in everyday life.

Paul has a deep love for Timothy and can easily relate to his weariness amid the chaos and discouragement.  His love meets his apprentice where he is but it doesn't leave him there.  "I know it's hard... hug... now let's get up and keep going" (my paraphrase).  Like a spiritual 'personal trainer', Paul reminds his apprentice of the goal, the prize, and the eternal weight of their labor.

He tells Timothy to teach others so they can pass it on.  Make disciples who will make disciples.  It may get hard. Focus on the gospel, 'things above'.... eternal glory with Christ... the goal... our 'Best Life Later'. Strong words.  Big commitment.  Single allegiance. But that is *the soldier's victory, the athlete's 'big win', the farmer's harvest... the eternal impact on the body of Christ for the glory of God.