Week 30: 2 Timothy 2:10

Week 30: 2 Timothy 2:10

Week 30

2 Timothy 2:10 “For this reason, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

When we consider the entire Bible, we must consider this one of the most remarkable texts in all of holy writ.  Why is this so?  It is so because it represents a clear and unmistakable statement of a man who has been completely changed by the grace of God.  Paul has been saved, and he is totally and radically changed into a man whose heart and soul are committed to Christ’s love, calling, and gospel.

Does anyone actually live like this?  Does anyone actually say with the imprisoned and suffering Paul, “I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal joy”?  This man lives unselfishly; this man lives a holy life that demonstrates what Jesus calls us in the gospel to become.

Two extraordinary ideas come to mind as we contemplate the application of this truth to our own lives.

First, a life of unselfishness and personal sacrifice for the benefit and salvation of others is the calling of Christ to every Christian.  This IS the Christian life.  We are, as Christ’s disciples, called to take up our cross, deny self, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23).  To live the life of Christ, we are not called to self-focus or self-actualization; we are called to selflessness and self-sacrifice for the love and service of other people in the name of Christ.  This is the Christian life; there is no other life that demonstrates the life of Jesus in us than this.  Christ seeks to make us everyone like this.

Second, this is a life of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction.  The Bible says of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice on the cross, “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2).  The life of service and the life of sacrifice for Christ’s glory and the good of others is fulfilling and soul-satisfying.  There is no life like this life to give joy, peace, and meaningful significance.

 Christian friend, will you not this day embrace your life journey and the experiences the Lord puts in it as an opportunity to be a servant of the gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of others?  The Lord will use your life as you manifest the gospel in attitude, reaction to circumstances, and behavior.  May it be that our love for Jesus and our desire to walk with Him in purity, holiness, and joy will shine with a heavenly sparkle that observers will not soon forget.  We who know Christ have the opportunity to show Christ’s value and the power of the gospel in every experience of life.  And as a result, may others come to know Christ through the testimony of our faith and lives.

 Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to not be conquered by my life’s pain.  Please help me to honor You and proclaim You through my walk in life, no matter how difficult it may be.  And I pray that You will bring others to Yourself through my testimony of joyful response to hardship.

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