2Timothy 1:1. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus;” THE PROMISE OF LIFE. A person available, willing, wanting to complete the journey of life in full flower; A purpose of One so supreme, so lofty, so close as to see by faith’s eyes in every place; A plan unknown and yet known; defined and yet open to interpretation; A promise that can never be doubted; life to the full – now and forever: What more could one want? THE PROMISE OF LIFE
Simple clay with the pulse of life within, giving movement and ability beyond understanding; Simple instruction: “You are a chosen vessel … bear My name… turn them from darkness to light” - easily understood. Simple message: “Forgiveness of sins … inheritance … sanctified by faith” – from the One who is the Savior. Simple faith to act on what he was told by Jesus Christ that he might be blessed and be a blessing to others: What more could one do? THE PROMISE OF LIFE
The will of God gives authority to the acts that will be misunderstood by so many. The will of God gives clarification to any questions or doubts that may arise later. The will of God gives the parameters of the work to be done – stay within the guidelines. The will of God gives urgency to the work at hand, for He has committed Himself to me. What more could one claim? THE PROMISE OF LIFE
The promise of life: eternal in its nature; everlasting in its duration; godly in its Source. The promise of life: a meaning to each day that leaves behind all claims to our attention. The promise of life: an assurance that remains when all else around fails or changes. The promise of life: above and beyond normal life because it is life in the heavenlies. What more could there be? THE PROMISE OF LIFE
“To be called to a work by Thy will, O God, is a high calling. And to know that what I have been called to surpasses all other claims on my life because it comes from Thee, gives importance to what I do, even though it sometimes seems insignificant. I pray for understanding to lay hold of the value of the promise of life in Christ Jesus. I do not want to ever underestimate what has been laid in my hands and in my heart. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Mercy is directed to individuals because God hasn't given us what we deserve. He knows us and has sympathy for us when we are in difficulties now, even as He showed mercy to us when we were going to hell in our sins. When we experience the blessings of grace from our Father, who has become personal to us when Christ Jesus our Lord came, and when in mercy He has withheld judgment on us that we certainly deserve, peace is the result. Peace, in a personal way, is a calmness we experience when we trust God. In a legal way, also, we have peace because divine justice has been satisfied through our Lord taking our judgment on Himself.
Thanksgiving is produced by an awareness of our need for God and all of His blessings to us. Paul had served God from his earliest years as a devout Jew. He knew God, but he didn't know "Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." His ignorance and unbelief led him to oppose Christians and persecute them, not his belief in the God of Israel, for whom he was extremely zealous. Many who believe in God will never be children of God. We become "children of God through faith in Jesus Christ." Our conscience gives us an inward awareness of right and wrong, but is not necessarily a discerner of right and wrong because it can be defiled, seared, and influenced by sin. Paul's praying was a regular part of his life. By prayer, we are kept aware of people, places, and things. Problems and particular interests are kept in our consciousness when we pray. A constant attitude of prayer keeps us informed of God's interests and makes us conscious of our responsibility to Him.
It is not uncommon for tears to be shed openly or privately when we part from those we appreciate and love. Paul and the Ephesian elders and their families wept at his final parting. Timothy was touched in his emotions as Paul was taken away. Many tears are shed at airports, train stations, and boat docks as evidence of real interest and care. Those same tears bring joy as we reflect on this person who has touched our hearts. We value such people and enjoy the fellowship we have when we are with them. When those who are under pressure in life know we really care for them, even to tears, that is a real comfort to know they are not alone in their suffering.
Our home life is where the life and light of salvation are able to be seen. Faith is communicated by the attitude and actions of believers. True faith cannot be hidden from our children, who observe their parents from the earliest days. Lasting impressions are formed early in life. Evidence of faith that is in another person is seen in their actions as well as their words. My attitude toward God and other people of trust and confidence cannot be hidden from a discerning person, nor can falseness be hidden. The reality of faith was real in Timothy's home. When God saves a family member, it isn't long before the reality of salvation is seen. What we say and what we do need to correspond in a consistent Christian life. Lois first, and then Eunice, demonstrated this faith to Timothy in spite of whether his father was a believer or not.
2nd Timothy 1:1, 6, 8. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God…. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee…. Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God.” DIVINE ENABLEMENT. The will of God is not always known just because I have the desire – For often, the plan or path before me is obscure until a little later. The reason may be that if I knew what God wanted and acted right away There wouldn’t be the fellowship and exercise of heart I get when I stop to pray.
If I knew ahead of time what would happen next, maybe I would simply stop – Because God’s will does not always mean I will have peace or come out on top. The will of God may lead me where I would deliberately avoid the pressure And I would never experience the presence of God when I feel pressed out of measure.
Some things we didn’t realize at the time God called us and saved us All we knew was that I was forgiven and accepted by God in Christ Jesus. Unknown at the time was that by the Spirit of God we were gifted – And by divine power through us, others’ loads may be lifted.
These individual gifts, whether persons or God-given abilities – Are able to be used in the church to develop unknown capacities To comfort, exhort, and edify the saints of God there – That through their life and testimony, God’s truth they will share.
I am not by my self-power in any way enabled to be The person or do the work God really wants from me – So the Spirit of God who indwells every believer; Empowers me and all the saints; God’s Word to deliver.
As through each saint, by God’s will and God’s gift – The Gospel and God’s truth go out, and the darkness does lift From the minds and the eyes of those who hear God’s truth – And by the power of God, brings lost souls to new birth.
No one can boast of all that is accomplished is of God –
Who uses His people to further and declare His Word. And whether sower or reaper, each one does the part Given by God to those who will serve Him from the heart.
“There is no doubt at all, Father God, that I am powerless without Thee to do anything that is of lasting value for Thy people and/or Thy work. But I take courage in the fact that divine enablement is given to do what would normally be impossible. In this place where we have been called to preach the Gospel and instruct the believers in some important life-issues, I am confessing without reservation my need of Thee. I am waiting on Thee and trusting that divine enablement will be given in each need and for each day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Gifts are identifiable when those who serve God are actively engaged in their calling. We should never ignore the advice of others, especially if they are mature believers who have been tried and proven in their Christian life. Opposition against us and the message we preach is to be expected. We should be bold and loyal in the face of opposition and suffering. We should not allow people to intimidate us and make us weak. Nothing should hinder us in our effective work for the Lord. The power of God is not limited in any way. We should neither quench nor grieve the Holy Spirit, and certainly should not allow the opinions of others to slow or stop our enthusiasm for the things of God.
Because of that evident, indwelling, consistent, and unfeigned faith, Paul exhorted Timothy (as a dying man would) to keep pressing on in the work to which he was called. The passion and commitment to the work of God have a tendency to fade unless it is stirred by the urgency of the message and the need we see. Confidence was placed in Timothy by others, of which he needed to be reminded. It would be wrong of us to let those people down who trusted us with such an important work.
Behind the gift God has given us is the expectation that we will faithfully use it to discharge the responsibility of the work. God gives us the ability to do whatever He wants us to, so fear doesn't come from Him. Fear can at times be a form of doubt and is at least a result of depending on the flesh to do a spiritual work. That does not come from God. In contrast to fear are the things that are supplied by the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you," and that same Spirit is with us today. "The love of Christ constrains us" comes from divine love that has been "shed abroad in our hearts." The discipline that restrains and constrains us is still at work, making any effort to do the will of God effectively and properly possible for us to accomplish.