by: Steve Sering

During WWII, a young conscientious objector named Desmond Doss displayed great heroism. Refusing to carry a gun, he was bullied by his fellow soldiers and commanding officer. He stayed true to his convictions, being a follower of God and the Bible and sought to be an Army medic. Two strikes were against him as a man of faith: He refused to fight on the sabbath and would not carry a gun. When time for battle came Desmond answered the call to tend to his wounded comrades. During the battle of Hacksaw Ridge, where many of his comrades were left for dead, Desmond sprung to action, saving nearly 75 lives on May 5^th, 1945. Putting himself and grave danger, he tended to the wounded soldiers on incredibly dangerous terrain. He got so close to enemy lines that he could hear Japanese soldiers whispering. Compelled by a strong faith, Doss even saved the life of his commanding officer (https://desmonddoss.com/bio/bio-real.php).

The Apostle Paul went behind enemy lines and ushered in the rapid expanse of Christianity during the first century AD. He had many helping him including Timothy and Titus. 2 Timothy was his final letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. Suffer well for the gospel. Spend your life serving your commanding officer, King Jesus. Give your life for the church. These lessons he passed down to his son in the faith. Just as Desmond Doss did, and more importantly, the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul poured out his life for the sake of others. In the verses under consideration today, Paul instructed various workers of the gospel. He sought to bless them for their efforts to propel the gospel across the Roman empire. Every commanding officer needs an army. The Apostle Paul’s included young pastors Timothy and Titus. These men refreshed him in his work, now coming to the finish line. 

Approaching the finish line has a way of refocusing the saint. For Paul, the return of Christ and the prospect of heaven were like a lighthouse in the waves of persecution. He needed hope to finish well. Tradition holds that he was beheaded for his faith shortly after penning this letter. May we emulate his bold faith. May we refresh the church and admonish its leaders like he did. Even unto death, the Apostle Paul poured out his heart and life for King Jesus and the church. Lord, help me to emulate this example of self-sacrifice and devotion. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Are you willing to give your life for King Jesus? How can you be a better bold witness for Christ in a compromising culture?
2. Are you pouring your everything into the church Christ purchased with his blood? How can you refresh suffering saints in your church body?

One of the most important commands we are called to do as Christians tends to be one of the hardest challenges we face: sharing the gospel. While those who live in the USA do not face physical persecution for their faith, many Christians hesitate to share the gospel because they fear the suffering that comes with it, whether that is a relationship that will suffer or even put their job at risk. Morever, even if there is not a concern of suffering, there may be a sense of shame. That sense of shame is present, not because they are ashamed at the message of the gospel, but that they fear for the approval of man more in the moment than they do God. 2 Timothy 1:8-14 speaks to those who can relate to such suffering and shame. The Apostle Paul continues his exhortation to Timothy by calling for him to not be ashamed of his relationship with the Lord nor of his relationship to Paul. Instead of shame, he tells Timothy to “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (verse 8). The reason the gospel is worth suffering for is because Timothy has been saved by it and called to it. It is not by any works of his own that he has been saved, but by the grace of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The same is true for us. We have not been saved by anything we have done but only through the good news of what Jesus has done for us. Just as Paul was not ashamed of the gospel and exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed, we also must hear that command. God is faithful to guard what He has entrusted to us in the gospel. The only way we can do this is by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. May we work out what God is working in with the good deposit He has entrusted to us.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your biggest struggle with sharing your faith? Is it more a sense that something may suffer as a result or that you have shame due to fear of man?
2. What person in your life can you follow the pattern of their way of life in sharing Christ?

My toddler loves asking for gifts. Each time we are in a store, he is talking about the next toy he wants. As a parent, I have seen enough to notice the pattern. He wants the toy. He gets the toy. He plays with the toy…at first. Then, it sits in one of the tubs in our house and is played with only occassionally. What is fine with my toddler and his toy should not be the case for the Christian. In 2 Timothy 1, we read where the Apostle Paul has sent another letter to his protege, Timothy. After his introduction and blessings to Timothy (verses 1-2), Paul encourages Timothy that he prays for him with thankfulness in his heart (verse 3) and a joyful expectation to see him (verse 4). Yet, what is the most encouraging section in this passage is the exhortation the Apostle Paul gives to Timothy. He tells him “to fan into flame the gift of God” (verse 6). Paul is sure of this gift because he has witnessed the testimony of Timothy’s grandmother and mother. As he has seen their faith, he is sure their example has impacted Timothy to where that same Christian faith dwelt in him (verse 5). But Paul’s reminder here is not about the gift of salvation. It is about the gift God has entrusted to Timothy as a Christian leader. This is evidenced by the end of verse 6, “through the laying on of my hands”. God had called Timothy to lead His church, and Paul reminds him to not neglect and burn out but to fan into flame the gift of God. In applying that to us, we may not all be leaders in the church, but we can all be praying for our leaders. To help guide us, we can pray they would remember the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 that God gave them “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. As we pray for them in those ways, we can also be reminded the Christian life is not done in our own strength but through the strength of the Lord who equips us to conquer our fears by living in the power of the Holy Spirit, driven by the love of God, and learning to have self-control.

Reflection Questions:

1. Set a time this week to pray for your church leaders and use 2 Timothy 1:5-7 as a help.
2. How does knowing God has given you a spirit of power and love and self-control encourage you in the Christian life?