#Meditating... (25/11/2014) With the third chapter of his second personal epistle to Timothy, his protégé, Paul was preparing the young minister for the good fight of faith, which himself was engaged in (2 Timothy 4:7). He started off by informing Timothy of the perilous times—when people shall wax worse and worse, grow cold and perverse, and abuse nature in the vilest manner ever known to man. The sad reality, either we choose to accept it or not, is that the end of the world is now come upon us. We now live in the perilous times Paul described in his letters to Timothy. During this perilous season, the worst of all the carnal, hateful things people shall practice, Paul wrote, is that they will become lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [h]aving a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: . . . (2 Timothy 3:4). Also, many shall resist the truth: men [shall be] of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith (3:8). Because deception shall steal the hearts and blind the minds of many, for the faithful minister of God, it shall be a gory battle for the truth. This warfare is against the onslaught of the diverse heresies (the therapeutic doctrines of carnality) that shall seek to draw many souls on to eternal death. Therefore, the servant of Christ—if he must fulfill his ministry and guide the people who God has placed under his care—must be battle-ready at these moments. The minister must be skilled at the use of the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). He must be able to use his mighty weapon, the Word of God, to wage the war against principalities, against powers, against the strongholds of unbelief and against the exalted barriers of heresy. These enemy forces are, in fact, undeniably todays realities, too. But if one must be skilled at the use of a tool or weapon, he must be able to effectively maximise that tool or weapon without the abuse of it. And to avoid the abuse of a device, the original essence of that device must be known. This leads me to ponder the question, Why were the Scriptures, Old and New Testament, given to the present-day Christian soldiers in the first place? The apostle Paul tells Timothy why in verses 15, 16 and 17 of second Timothy 3: Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God, it therefore is profitable . . . 1. To make Believers wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (vs. 15). Jesus Himself puts it this way: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: . . . (John 5:39). 2. . . . for doctrine (vs. 16). The teachings, practices, beliefs and commandments of Christ, practiced by the Apostles, are the biblical doctrines present-day Believers must also live by. A call to enjoy the liberty in Christ isnt an invitation to lawlessness. 3. . . . for reproof (vs. 16). As disciples of the most righteous Judge who ever walked upon the face of this earth, we must be able to see things in the light of Christs words and judge whether things be right or wrong, whether they be expedient or inexpedient. We must not be the permissive, fearful, silent, compromising strains of self-proclaimed Christians who have lost the righteous, compassionate sense of righteous judgement. 4. . . . for correction (vs. 16). Again, we cant be silent and watch carnality prevail over godliness—particularly in the House of God. We must put things straight as directed by Gods holy Word. 5. . . . for instruction in righteousness (vs. 16). Notice, Paul didnt just say for instruction and then introduce a period. He was clear and very specific! Scripture isnt given for you to instruct people on how they can amass wealth or enlarge their businesses. Scripture is given for men to be effectively instructed for righteous, holy living. Period. 6. Verse 17 wraps up all the reasons we have stated earlier. Scriptures is given [t]hat the man of God may be throughly furnished unto all good works. In summary, if we profess to love Christ, then we must love His words and pattern our lives after His doctrines. We must believe and accept His claims as true. We must obey His instructions without questions. We must daily meditate on the Spirit-inspired Word of God and consistently live out its principles. We must slay corruption, false hopes and assumptions, and every doctrine of carnality lurking around us with this sword of the Spirit. We must prayerfully, joyfully, fearlessly, earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). ____________________________ #PonderWithMe: What efforts are you making to improve your sword-of-the-Spirit skills for the good fight of faith? fb/groups/kistplus
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:29:57 +0000
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