Enduring for the Elect
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
- 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Paul, conscious that he is very near to the end of his earthly life, is writing to Timothy about what motivates him to endure his difficult circumstances. He is imprisoned as a criminal, which would have been frustrating at multiple levels. We don’t know exactly what form this imprisonment took – he could have been in a rat-infested dungeon, or he could simply have been chained to a soldier under house arrest. Either way, this is something we would prefer to have changed. But even more frustrating than his physical condition would have been the limitations his condition placed on his ability to advance the gospel. How much can you really do when you’re in chains?
Yet Paul understands that even though he is severely restricted by his imprisonment, the word of God is under no such restrictions. It will both go where the Lord wants it to go and do what the Lord wants it to do. It cannot be held captive. In fact, God had even used Paul’s imprisonment to advance the gospel (Phil. 1:12-14). And once God’s word is sent out, it has power to break through otherwise impenetrable walls to both reach and change peoples’ hearts. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The fact that God’s word is not imprisoned drives Paul to “endure all these things”. And he includes in this statement of endurance a paradoxical idea. He says he endures all these things “for the sake of those who are chosen”. It’s clear enough in Scripture that God has chosen some for salvation from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4); but the problem is with the way we naturally respond to this. If God is so completely and unchangeably in control of this, why would we bother to exert any effort or make any sacrifice to be involved with the process? Why would we endure anything, if our lack of endurance won’t change either God’s plan or his ability to execute it?
But Paul doesn’t demand an answer that question. In fact, he is energized by the fact that he is privileged to participate in the infallible plan of God. He is not paralyzed by the mystery. Instead, he is energized by the opportunity.
God’s word cannot be kept inside stone walls or outside of them. It is not imprisoned. It has power that cannot be withstood by any force. And God has chosen that his word should reach the hearts of certain people. He has made an unalterable decree that people would be reached by an unstoppable power. And we get to be a part of that. We get to be on the winning team, and experience the power of the grace of God firsthand as we see it change lives. Let’s embrace both mystery and opportunity, and endure all these things for the sake of those who are chosen – whoever they may be.
- 2 Timothy 2:8-10
Paul, conscious that he is very near to the end of his earthly life, is writing to Timothy about what motivates him to endure his difficult circumstances. He is imprisoned as a criminal, which would have been frustrating at multiple levels. We don’t know exactly what form this imprisonment took – he could have been in a rat-infested dungeon, or he could simply have been chained to a soldier under house arrest. Either way, this is something we would prefer to have changed. But even more frustrating than his physical condition would have been the limitations his condition placed on his ability to advance the gospel. How much can you really do when you’re in chains?
Yet Paul understands that even though he is severely restricted by his imprisonment, the word of God is under no such restrictions. It will both go where the Lord wants it to go and do what the Lord wants it to do. It cannot be held captive. In fact, God had even used Paul’s imprisonment to advance the gospel (Phil. 1:12-14). And once God’s word is sent out, it has power to break through otherwise impenetrable walls to both reach and change peoples’ hearts. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The fact that God’s word is not imprisoned drives Paul to “endure all these things”. And he includes in this statement of endurance a paradoxical idea. He says he endures all these things “for the sake of those who are chosen”. It’s clear enough in Scripture that God has chosen some for salvation from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4); but the problem is with the way we naturally respond to this. If God is so completely and unchangeably in control of this, why would we bother to exert any effort or make any sacrifice to be involved with the process? Why would we endure anything, if our lack of endurance won’t change either God’s plan or his ability to execute it?
But Paul doesn’t demand an answer that question. In fact, he is energized by the fact that he is privileged to participate in the infallible plan of God. He is not paralyzed by the mystery. Instead, he is energized by the opportunity.
God’s word cannot be kept inside stone walls or outside of them. It is not imprisoned. It has power that cannot be withstood by any force. And God has chosen that his word should reach the hearts of certain people. He has made an unalterable decree that people would be reached by an unstoppable power. And we get to be a part of that. We get to be on the winning team, and experience the power of the grace of God firsthand as we see it change lives. Let’s embrace both mystery and opportunity, and endure all these things for the sake of those who are chosen – whoever they may be.
Labels: 2 Timothy, commentary
posted by Matt @ 2:07 PM
2 Comments:
At 11/21/2007 11:51:00 AM ,
Jeff said...
It’s clear enough in Scripture that God has chosen some for salvation from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4); but the problem is with the way we naturally respond to this. If God is so completely and unchangeably in control of this, why would we bother to exert any effort or make any sacrifice to be involved with the process?
I guess I would like to comment on this middle section of you latest post, I do agree that it has and always be Gods work that brings any of us to salvation, do I think that I had anything to do with it, no. I think about Christ's conversation with Nicodemus in Chapter 3 of John, where really Christ is commenting to him about a natural faith. Earlier in John (chapter 2 about vs 23ish??) where it says many Jews believed because of what they saw, but Christ did not entrust Himself or it may say give Himself to them, why? Because for he knows what is in man. I see this as a faith built upon the natural things seen and not born of the Spirit. Did the Jews want to pick or choose Christ? Yes, was it their choice to make? I do not think so. Agreeing with you that we have been chosen from the foundations of the earth is clear, and when God has truly chosen you, then we always naturally as the case may be want to put forth all we have to know and serve our true and living God, no matter our circumstances. Be it one bound up in chains or living a joyful victories life.
If I may continue with this thought and pick up things in chapter 3again, Christ and Nicodemus speaking, and Nicodemus saying that they know Christ is from God because of the things He does, and Christ responds with, "no one can see the Kingdom of God unless He is born again." Nicodemus goes on asking how can some one old be born again, and enter the womb a second time.
I would submit that if God had truly been speaking to the heart of Nicodemus, he would have understood it, and there would have been no choice but to surrender his life to Christ, but that's not what happened, Nicodemus did not understand, he left basically scratching his head. We also see that it is totally Gods work as Christ talks about the wind blowing and we do not know where it is coming from, yet you hear it but can not tell where it came from or where it is going, He (Christ) likens the wind to the each of us who are born of the Spirit.
I got off on a trail I know, but your post reminded me that it is God who chose me, and it is not because of any thing I did or "accepted" to receive. It was given to me, not because of what I could see, rather it was given to me because God chose to reveal to me my need and my lack, and the perfect sacrifice made for me. When the Spirt of God blows into a man, there will never be any other choice but to follow Him. That's why we put forth any effort in this relationship, because we have no other possible choice. Yes this can get into many discussions, I know. Like, yeah but what about when I don’t choose Christ? And so on... I would simply say, as I put my throat out there, maybe... What do we really understand about God, and how has the scriptures been taught to us? Are we taking liberty with the word? What about context of passages? Do we really believe that we chose Him in the first place? It can go on and on for sure.
On a personal note, I am from your days gone by in CR. I miss you and the family. God Bless you all.
JK
At 11/21/2007 01:05:00 PM ,
Matt said...
Hi Jeff,
Perhaps I should clarify. When I speak of exerting effort and making sacrifices to be involved in the process, I'm speaking of believers doing these things for the sake of unbelievers, that they might come to know Christ. I may have given the impression that I was referring to unbelievers exerting effort in the process of coming to know Christ. How that works is a subject for a separate conversation, but suffice it to say that I agree with what you appear to be saying about total depravity & irresistible grace. My point here was simply to demonstrate from this text that Paul would have rejected a hypercalvinist misapplication of unconditional election, such as the idea that evangelism & all it involves is unnecessary.
Good to hear from you.
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