(vs8-10) “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 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.”
We have mission in this life, to save the elect. We are NOT saved to be selfish but to stretch out salvation to others chosen of God. These sinners, like us, shall believe the gospel, and God's sent us who believe to search them out and recover them from falling. He says, “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them”, and again, “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Ezek 34:11-12; Jer 3:15). The Lord SAVES by the people that He has saved, so we live His way, doing His mission.
First, the Lord saves by saved people. Someone found you wandering and restored your sight. Someone helped you understand the mystery of the Book, and you're to spend your life helping others.
This doesn't mean you quit your job and become a “missionary”; it means that where you are, in whatever position God's put you, with whatever gifts you and I have, devote yourself to manifesting Jesus Christ, “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk” (1 Cor 7:17). It isn't enough that He's revealed to us. If we know His glory, then we live that others see Him too, doing what we can, day by day.
Secondly, the Lord saves the “elect” by us, so be sure that your labor isn't in vain (2 Tim 2:10). 1 Cor 15 says, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (vs58). There is a people that Christ shall save, no matter how rebellious they appear.
From the outside, if you'd looked at your worthless soul, you'd be highly skeptical that He'd save you. Who'd have thought the cute baby in the picture was actually chosen of God, kept by the angels, and finally called to life by the gospel?
Preach Christ and know that Christ will make the blind to see, the lame to walk, the leper to be cleansed, and the unbelieving to believe. Isaiah 35 speaks definitively, “He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing” (vs4-6).
Preach Christ in the confidence that God does the saving.
Thirdly, we must ENDURE hardship in this task, because many hate us. Paul said, “I suffer trouble as an evil doer”, and, “I endure all things” (2 Tim 1:9-10). Many SHOULD be hungering for bread, but you offend them by revealing their need. Jesus says in John 9, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see'. Therefore your sin remains”. Yes, many should be hungry for electing love, knowing God's word and Spirit can be trusted. However, you wound man's controlling impulse when you put salvation rightfully into the hands of God, even “Him who calls” (Rom 9:11). Man should love those who save him... who seek his good... but he will hate you, even as he hated Christ.
But, don't be troubled. The God who raised Christ from the dead shall enable you to conquer, “according to my gospel” (2 Tim 1:8). Election sets forth a conquering God, and all who trust Him, no matter the hate of this present world, shall endure unto the end and be raised in glory.
Lastly, this is not an easy task, but the reward is great, even “eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10). The Lord's promised us the highest reward.
We must labor in the heat of the day on His terms. We run the race that He set before us, His way, laboring in the battle according to the Commander. 2 Tim 1:4-5 says, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules”. Yet, the reward is far greater than the pain, even as, “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops” (vs6).
This is our light affliction because what's coming to REWARD our faithfulness on earth is eternal heavenly bliss. Don't quit and hide the gospel. Don't quit preaching and praying because you're opposed. As elect, get strength from Jesus' grace to hold Him out to His elect in this world. They will come, and you will be in heaven, eternally glorified, happy, and pleasing to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment