Keep As A Pattern of Good Teaching

 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (II Timothy 1:13-14)

                In today’s passage, Paul continues his discussion of the gifts that God had given him and Timothy. Paul was given a gift of appointment as 1) a herald, 2) an apostle, and 3) a teacher. One gift in the sense that they came together, but three gifts. We’re not limited to one. Paul also didn’t indicate what Timothy’s gift was for some reason. That’s a good thing, though. If he had mentioned that Timothy’s gift was as a pastor, anyone who doesn’t believe they’re appointed or gifted as a pastor would have a way out. Whatever good deposit has been entrusted to you, you’re to guard it and use it for God’s glory.

                Another aspect of today’s passage is that Paul wrote about his suffering. Once again, why do bad things happen to good people? Paul seemed to be one of God’s main men at this time, so why did he suffer? One reason was that, since suffering is a part of life, to teach others how to suffer. Suffering also was and is evidence that he was on the right path. There would be no reason for Satan or anyone else to attack him if he weren’t a threat. Suffering, or a close association with someone else’s suffering, is also a motivation to act. Various advocacy groups found their start in the suffering of a victim, or a family member of a victim.

                The other point in this passage is Paul’s call for Timothy to keep what he had heard from Paul as a pattern for life. That’s a bold statement. In one sense, I think we all make it. We think we’re doing things right and while we may not speak the words, we stand in judgment of those who are doing it wrong because they’re not keeping our pattern. That’s not good. On the other hand, I suspect we live in fear that anyone would decide to use us as a pattern for their life. I know I do. We don’t want the responsibility. I can’t think of anyone other than Christ that I would say, “I want to follow his/her pattern.” And the things about them I’d like to emulate are beyond my ability or have little to do with patterns of godliness. But here’s the catch. The things that Timothy was to learn and to teach weren’t all about Paul and they weren’t all of Paul. Paul’s goal to embody the teachings of Christ, and for Timothy to do the same. It wasn’t about Paul.

                And here is where I need to note something about my writing of these blogs. There are times when (as today), I just sort of drop insights. Here’s an idea. Here’s another idea. When I’m done listing them, I don’t tie things together. This was a complaint made when I was in Toastmasters as well. I’m not comfortable with what they called “calls to action.” I will argue with you until you die of boredom, but I’m not likely to conclude with “Here’s what you need to do.” I don’t want to make up your mind for you. I want to give you information – perhaps arguments – and let you make up your own mind. It's another way of saying, "Don't pattern your life around me." I suspect I need to work on that.