2 Timothy 2:8
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...
I don't do suffering very well. I do easy...naturally. About 4 months ago my wife and I decided to join a new exercise craze...P90X. It is supposed to change your body, and your life. How great is that? Unfortunately, the transformation doesn't take place immediately upon purchase of the product. You actually have to do the exercise which, in and of itself wouldn't be bad if the exercise didn't mean you had to suffer. And you do have to suffer. I did the "ab ripper x" the other night. Tony says it is the "x in P90X", which means it is hard, and it hurts. Over the last 4 months, my body hasn't changed much, mainly because I haven't been doing the exercises much. I don't do suffering well.
The main point of 2 Timothy is Paul helping Timothy to courageously suffer for the sake of the Gospel. This is obviously hard, or Paul wouldn't be writing Timothy to encourage him. In verses 3-7, Paul speaks of the reality of Timothy's past and present, he doesn't have a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control. Now Paul tells him to live that reality out. He tells him not to be ashamed, but to share in the suffering for the gospel, suffering seen in Paul and in Christ.
I understand this reality. I struggle with suffering for the gospel. How many times have I chosen not to communicate clearly with friends for fear of rejection? How many times have I chosen to soften the clear teaching of scripture, for fear of offending? How many times have I chosen not to reach out and sacrificially meet the needs of the neighbors around me because I really like the comfort of my couch and TV? (my wife's life convicts me on this one all the time). I don't do suffering well...but I want to change. How...of course Paul has an answer, "by the power of God". This is great news. I've looked inside myself, I've tried to "pull myself up". I don't have what it takes, but God does. I love what Christ says in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..." I need Christ to serve me, to enable me to suffer well...we all do, and He does.
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1 comment:
This is So true Sid,
I also struggle with suffering. the way this manifests itself in my life primarily is in Apathy. i could speak up but dont. i could expand more, but i dont. i could do more but dont.
but i think you have nailed it. it is not just that i "dont" but that i "cant", at least not fully unless first relying on the power that is provided to me by christ through the indwelling of His Spirit. SO COOL!
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