Mission Faithwalk

                   Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26)                 There’s an old ad. I don’t remember what it’s about, but an animated figure throws a world class, melodramatic hissy fit about something. I wish I could remember it to share it because that’s what comes to mind here. Please don’t be offended. I’m quite sure Asaph was in circumstances that justified such a cry. And I’m sure I’ve whined or otherwise expressed sentiments to God or about God that probably sounded over the top. Chances are fair that you’ve done the same. Or perhaps you’ve expressed some sentiment about someone or something else that sounds equally overboard. And looking at it from the outside or back through time, it might seem a...

                   Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.   And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.   Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,   and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (II Timothy 1:23-26) This is one of those passages that can easily be misquoted. People may go as far as “not resentful” and stop. This leads to a false impression of what the Lord’s servant is to be like. Don’t ever say anything that might be considered quarrelsome or unkind, and don’t ever be resentful, period. In other words, the Lord’s servant has to keep his/her big mouth shut at all times. Never mind that Jesus didn’t do this If ...

                Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.   Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (II Timothy 2:16-19) Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)                 As we noted on Thursday, not quarreling about words doesn’t mean not discussing important or difficult ideas...

                 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth . (II Timothy 2:15) This verse is daunting. Present myself as one approved? Approved ? The rest doesn’t get any better. I mean, the whole point in Genesis is that man tried to earn approval on his own merits. We tried to be “like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4) But then Jesus came, died, and rose again so we could live by faith. Paul taught that we were to live by faith. But in today’s passage, he seems to have gone back to the old ways, in which we had to struggle to live according to the impossible standard. One of the rules for correctly handling the word of truth is to keep the idea in context. This letter was written to Pastor Timothy. His job was teaching others. If you’re a carpenter, your job involves correctly handling wood. You have to know how to mani...

            Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.  (II Timothy 2:14) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (I Peter 3:15) He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (II Peter 3:15) This is amusing, because Peter was known for foot-in-mouth disease and for his emotional outbursts, and Paul, while capable of emotional outbursts, was known for his high-brow argumentation. Yet in today’s verse, Paul warned Timothy not to quarrel about words (which might be s...

                 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (II Timothy 2:3-7) It doesn’t matter what you are, there will be inconveniences for the good of that thing that will get in the way of life. Soldiers, athletes, and farmers are great examples, but if you’re a student, an employee, a member of something, a dog owner, or a parent, you know the same sense of demands that require focus and self-denial. Connection with anyone or anything has strings attached, and we would be wise to consi...

                 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (II Timothy 2:1-2)              If you read Scripture, you’ll notice a theme of education and discipline. It’s a pattern for the development of individuals, communities, and nations. It’s a theme some of us would prefer to ignore for one reason or another.  One reason is our history. We haven’t fared well with community. We assume it’s our fault, and it might be. But we have learned that we “run with scissors and don’t play well with others.” Sometimes, it’s that we’re doers. It’s easier to step in and just do it rather than teach someone else. It might be more convenient. Others may not step forward when they should and take the responsibility that i...