DEVOTIONAL
“But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:5 NASBS
Today my brothers and sisters in Christ, as we sojourn upon this earth, I ask you to examine your own hearts. That is, to go into the secret caverns of your soul where your deepest affections lie. It is a place unknown by the mortal eye, and truly ask yourself, “Have I played the harlot against The Lord and bowed down to those things which He has forbidden? Have I delightfully entertained thoughts of the grossest kinds of perversion that my Savior died for?” Christian, we are living in a day of darkness, when those who make a profession of faith, who speak of the mercies of Christ, are openly indulging in sin with little or no conviction at all. We have been charged by the holy scriptures, which is the voice of God, to bear the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in this life and to fulfill the ministries He has called us to. In our flesh we are to do our share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions, even unto death. That is, we are not to be synchronized to this world, but on the contrary, to be set apart, and altogether holy for the Lord.
Timothy was placed, by the hand of God, in a time when there was great persecution for those who proclaimed to be followers of Christ. It was a time when the young pastor considered the possibilities of running from the calling the Lord had laid upon his life. Paul was in prison, Christians were being persecuted unto death, and he was called to lay down his life and preach the word of God regardless of his feelings. This was not an easy calling and apart from the work of the Holy Spirit it was impossible. Though God was definitely at work in his life this did not alleviate the fear that rose up within him when the possibility of death was surrounding him at every place. Nevertheless, he was called to trust God and enter into obedience, for it was through his obedience that the Lord would demonstrate His power to all the lost souls in his sphere of influence.
Well, what did Timothy do? He rose above his own fear and pressed through all of the possibilities of death. He became anchored in the foundational truths of God’s holy word and stood his ground like an immovable stone. He opened his mouth and preached the oracles of heaven like fire falling from the sky. He commanded the people to repent of their sins and to flee to the cross where salvation could be found. According to church tradition, Timothy remained in Ephesus for the rest of his life until he was martyred for his faith. He severely reproved a group of pagans for their ridiculous idolatry, which so exasperated them, that they fell upon him with their clubs, and beat him in such a dreadful manner, that he died from the bruises two days after.” Because of Timothy’s faithfulness many were brought into the kingdom of God, and the legacy of How The Lord used him has reached our ears today.
You see, the word of God brought Timothy to an intersection in his life. He had to make a decision to follow Christ, even in what seemed to be the darkest hours of his life. Timothy counted the cost and considered the souls of those who were in his generation more costly than his own life. Christian what will you do with Jesus Christ? Will you follow him even if it will cost you your own life? Will you consider lost souls more important than yourself?