Encoragement for the new year (and the new life) part 2

As we “stir up the gift” within us, we come to the second part.

2nd Timothy 1:8 “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”

Many accuse Paul of writing too vaguely, yet for the most part what he writes is quite blunt and to the point. As I was preparing to write this something appeared on Facebook. Facebook will often post something that only you can see, and it will be a “memory”…something you posted perhaps two or three years ago. It was an article about a so-called pastor of the so-called “emergent church” being on Oprah Winfrey named Rob Bell. I found it interesting that the very day I was going to write this that the “memory” appears. In the interview Rob Bell calls the New Testament “irrelevant” writings from 2,000 years ago. I don’t know why…I know it’s foretold in the Scriptures to happen…but it still amazes me that huge numbers of professing Christians and ministers will swallow the words and teaching of an apostate, false teacher such as Rob Bell. While it may bother some folks for me to name names, it didn't bother Paul. To call the New Testament 2,000 year old irrelevant writings IS to be an apostate. Rob Bell, and others like him, are guilty of exactly what the apostle Paul has warned against in v.8. The modern church is becoming “ashamed” of the clear Biblical gospel and the New Testament Scriptures, and is unwilling to suffer for them. Yes, as we looked at in the section prior to this, the attacks and the pressure of those who want to assign the New Testament writings to the category of “irrelevant” has an effect upon us. It can be very discouraging to the point to where we withdraw, and for the sake of peace, be quite and float along. But, if you’re going to accept the inspired writing of the one who was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, you cannot do that. We cannot do that! We must first rekindle and stir up the gift within us.

Next we must rekindle our courage for the gospel of the Lord and the writings of the apostles. The New Testament came from the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit to the apostles. The apostle of Jesus Christ in 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 8 clearly says “Do not be ashamed.” Ashamed of what? The New Testament gospels (the testimony of our Lord) and of him…Paul, the Lord’s apostle. This, of course, would extend to all the Lord’s apostles and to their writings which are the inspired doctrine for the New Testament church. Let us not shrink in shame, but let us rekindle our courage! We must rekindle our courage because what we have been given is worthy! It is glorious! It is true! It is powerful! It is, as verse 9 says, “according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us before time began.” (So much for the heresy of the “openness of God.”) According to v.10 these 2,000 year old writings reveal the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light. The modern day equivalents of Phygellus and Hermogenes (v.15) promote a feel-good, false gospel and do-what-feels-right doctrine. The time is now upon us where people will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires heap up for themselves teachers who will scratch their itching ears. (4:3-4). It is past time for us to repent and to rekindle our courage. How can we do this? By the power of the same Lord who has not given us a spirit of fear (v.7). A very misused Scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That verse is so often taken out of context and used for things such athletics. It has nothing to do with the Lord helping anyone throw a football. In context it has to do with suffering hardships while serving the Lord, and therefore it applies here. Christ can and will strengthen us to serve and obey Him, and follow the spirit-inspired doctrine of His apostles. We can say along with Paul in v.12 “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.” Let us repent, recommit and rekindle our courage for the gospel of the Lord and the writings of the apostles.

To be continued.
 
As we “stir up the gift” within us, we come to the second part.

2nd Timothy 1:8 “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.”

Many accuse Paul of writing too vaguely, yet for the most part what he writes is quite blunt and to the point. As I was preparing to write this something appeared on Facebook. Facebook will often post something that only you can see, and it will be a “memory”…something you posted perhaps two or three years ago. It was an article about a so-called pastor of the so-called “emergent church” being on Oprah Winfrey named Rob Bell. I found it interesting that the very day I was going to write this that the “memory” appears. In the interview Rob Bell calls the New Testament “irrelevant” writings from 2,000 years ago. I don’t know why…I know it’s foretold in the Scriptures to happen…but it still amazes me that huge numbers of professing Christians and ministers will swallow the words and teaching of an apostate, false teacher such as Rob Bell. While it may bother some folks for me to name names, it didn't bother Paul. To call the New Testament 2,000 year old irrelevant writings IS to be an apostate. Rob Bell, and others like him, are guilty of exactly what the apostle Paul has warned against in v.8. The modern church is becoming “ashamed” of the clear Biblical gospel and the New Testament Scriptures, and is unwilling to suffer for them. Yes, as we looked at in the section prior to this, the attacks and the pressure of those who want to assign the New Testament writings to the category of “irrelevant” has an effect upon us. It can be very discouraging to the point to where we withdraw, and for the sake of peace, be quite and float along. But, if you’re going to accept the inspired writing of the one who was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, you cannot do that. We cannot do that! We must first rekindle and stir up the gift within us.

Next we must rekindle our courage for the gospel of the Lord and the writings of the apostles. The New Testament came from the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit to the apostles. The apostle of Jesus Christ in 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 8 clearly says “Do not be ashamed.” Ashamed of what? The New Testament gospels (the testimony of our Lord) and of him…Paul, the Lord’s apostle. This, of course, would extend to all the Lord’s apostles and to their writings which are the inspired doctrine for the New Testament church. Let us not shrink in shame, but let us rekindle our courage! We must rekindle our courage because what we have been given is worthy! It is glorious! It is true! It is powerful! It is, as verse 9 says, “according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us before time began.” (So much for the heresy of the “openness of God.”) According to v.10 these 2,000 year old writings reveal the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light. The modern day equivalents of Phygellus and Hermogenes (v.15) promote a feel-good, false gospel and do-what-feels-right doctrine. The time is now upon us where people will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires heap up for themselves teachers who will scratch their itching ears. (4:3-4). It is past time for us to repent and to rekindle our courage. How can we do this? By the power of the same Lord who has not given us a spirit of fear (v.7). A very misused Scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That verse is so often taken out of context and used for things such athletics. It has nothing to do with the Lord helping anyone throw a football. In context it has to do with suffering hardships while serving the Lord, and therefore it applies here. Christ can and will strengthen us to serve and obey Him, and follow the spirit-inspired doctrine of His apostles. We can say along with Paul in v.12 “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that Day.” Let us repent, recommit and rekindle our courage for the gospel of the Lord and the writings of the apostles.

To be continued.

Good stuff. It reminds me of the old encouragement of the 3 R's............
"Remember--
"Repent-------
Return" !

That is the advice all through the Scriptures!
 
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