For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:7-8
This week’s article is a primer to our VBS that begins tomorrow evening. The theme of the week is Fearless Deeds of the Defenders wherein we will consider the ways in which several prominent New Testament figures served God faithfully in a hostile world. For the most part, we Christians in the United States have enjoyed relative peace while defending the faith. However, anti-Christian hostility has steadily escalated for decades. In recent years, this escalation of hostility has begun to accelerate very quickly. Though we still enjoy far greater peace than the subjects of the week’s lessons, if we would remain faithful defenders in an increasingly hostile environment, we must embrace the power that fueled their success.
It is tempting to try and sit out the fight, but the Scriptures simply do not give us the option. The Lord frequently warned His people to expect hostility, and His warnings always come to pass (Matthew 10:16-18, 24-26, 34-36; John 15:18-21; 2 Timothy 3:12). Nevertheless, He demands that we courageously defend the truth and faithfully serve Him in the face of such opposition (Matthew 10:27-31, 37-39; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; 2:3-4, 10-13; 4:1-5; 1 Peter 3:15; Revelation 2:10). Though this is a difficult proposition to embrace, some things in this life are simply worth the struggle, suffering, and sorrow that comes with it. Of all the things people are willing to suffer and even die for, eternal peace with our Lord should be the greatest. Thankfully, when God demands things of His people, He supplies what is needed to succeed (Romans 8:31-32; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; Philippians 4:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 1:3-4).
As Paul composed his second letter to Timothy, the last of his writings in the New Testament, he sat in a Roman prison for preaching the gospel of Christ. Being imprisoned would be difficult enough, but Paul carried the extra weight of knowing he would not leave his prison alive (4:6). Though I have not been imprisoned, I imagine the engine that would drive me to press on would be the hope of freedom one day. Imagine the sense of despair in knowing you would never see the light of day again, let alone that you would soon be put to death. This is precisely the position in which Paul found himself. Yet, the tone of the letter is not one of self-pity, fear, and dread. It is strangely positive and uplifting. How does one face such difficult circumstances in this way? How can we face our battles with the strength and determination Paul did? Securing Timothy’s faith for the battle that lay ahead of him was Paul’s purpose in writing this letter. In it, we may learn the answer to our question.
First, he reminded Timothy of their deep connection in the faith they shared (1:3-5). Second, he reminded him to fan into flame the gift God had given him (vs. 6). Third, he reminded him that through these gifts, God had given them a spirit of power, not timidity (vs. 7a). Finally, because this reality is grounded in love and a sound mind (vs. 7b), it follows that he ought not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord but endure suffering by God’s power (vs. 8). The foundational truth that empowered Paul to endure such great suffering is that God has abolished death through Jesus Christ (vv. 9-12; Hebrews 2:14-15; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:22-28). Knowing that our eternity is secure if we serve faithfully in Christ provides the needed strength to endure whatever challenges the world brings to our faith in Him. Let us fan this great gift of God into flame to faithfully serve Him no matter the circumstances.