Growing up in conservative, rural, Northern California I've often heard people talk of the founding fathers rolling over in their graves in connection with legislation they don't feel is constitutional. While it seems odd, I think that phrase really strikes at the heart of what is going on in Paul's second letter to Timothy. Passing the torch never really seems to work out well for institutions, be they governmental or religious. For some reasons the interests of one generation hardly ever translate, or transfer to the next, and because of that things just seem to keep changing. Christianity, and the church interestingly enough is the exception to the rule.
Most of what I'm going to cover in this lesson/discussion is neatly stated in Paul's greeting. (vv 1-2).
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy my child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
First and foremost we see the Paul is an apostle of Jesus by the will of God. Meaning that not even Paul himself is a free agent, but is called by the will of God. When we think of divine calling we tend to think of God as a bigger version of ourselves. He is not, God is single-minded while our emotions change (sometimes literally) with the weather. Being single minded and eternal God does not institute temporary solutions, or make conditional promises. God doesn't say "I'll do this, if you do this" Paul's apostolic calling was permanent, special, and organic. God didn't only call Paul to be an Apostle, he created him to be one. Obviously there is a distinct problem when a normal man is called by God to do anything. Sin. Sin means that, no matter how hard we may try to accomplish what God has asked, we cannot, and most often don't want to do it. But God is faithful to his calling through his son Jesus Christ. The promise of the life that is in Jesus is a promise of redemption, life from death, and constant intercession. What God calls us to do, he also enables us to do.
What does this mean for Timothy or for us? Well, to put it plainly there is no reason to be fearful. If our calling is of the same nature as Paul's then there must be something he has done in our lives to provide for the fulfillment of that calling. For Timothy, he was raised in the faith by his family. People in whom Paul had absolute confidence.
"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you that I may be filled with joy.I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, and love, and self control." vv 5-7
Paul goes on to outline the source of his confidence, even though it seemingly contradicts his current position as a prisoner of Rome. Essentially, we wind up back where we were in the first verse. We are called by an eternal God that has a lasting perspective over life and death. It would be easy to think that God would shield his message by not allowing harm to come to those whom he has called to preach. But, and this is the beauty of the Church and the scriptures, the cornerstones of our faith are not laid on Paul or the rest of the Apostles. The foundation of the Church is God himself, who has been made manifest in the lives of the Apostles and the scriptures. That being said, the world may, and does wage war against the Church, and us as Christians. But, both our identities and the identity of the church, are safe with God who has called us according to his purposes.
" Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you." vv 8-14
In the midst of all of this, we have the task of holding steady and believing in him who has called us. That is where Timothy was when he received this letter from Paul. His ministry had been disrupted by people preaching a divergent Gospel, and he was discouraged. Humanly speaking, this was a bad time for Paul to die, and an even worse time for him to hand his ministry of to Timothy. But, and I'll risk being repetitive here, God's calling is not altered by our circumstances, or performance. God is so sold on his calling that he sent his own son to die that it may be established in the world, and in our hearts.
Paul finishes off this chapter with some great examples. Leading up to his final hearing before Caesar Paul was abandoned by everybody that had associated with him (vs.15). Truth be told, it was downright dangerous to be anywhere near Paul, so it's not hard to understand why everybody split. But at the core of their fear was a failure to believe that God was good enough in spite of imprisonment or impending death. But in the midst of everybody running away we see Onesiphorus going to great lengths to minister to Paul during his imprisonment. Verses 15-18 imply that he may have even died for aiding Paul.
While you may be sitting at home looking at your social circumstances and weighing the cost of doing what God has asked of you consider the examples you have set before you in this chapter, and ponder the eternal qualities of the God who is calling you. If we relay upon ourselves, we will flee from the death that brings life like Phygelus and Hermogenes. But, looking at the example of Onesiphorus we can see that Jesus Christ is able to sustain our fainting hearts in times of great cost. Even more so, he has conquered death itself. So that all who believe can live eternally with him.
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