“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.”
Philippians 3:1
After being removed from preaching at a synagogue, the apostle Paul spent two years teaching in an Ephesian lecture hall (Acts 19:8-10). Here, Paul’s message reached quite an audience. In fact, Luke tells us that “all the residents of Asia” heard the word of the Lord.
This is incredible. Remarkable, really.
The message of Christ was spreading rapidly in Ephesus. It’s no wonder Paul charged and employed one of his most dear disciples, Timothy, in shepherding this Ephesian congregation (1 Tim. 1:3).
However, by the time Paul wrote Timothy his second letter, something in Ephesus had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Indeed, the ministry circumstances surrounding Paul’s second letter are as astonishing as when Luke records Paul’s first encounter with the people of this region.
Listen to Paul’s painful words as he engages Timothy again, “You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me…” (2 Tim. 1:15). Wow! That’s rather unexpected and frankly discouraging.
And that’s just it.
It’s when the ministry response takes an adverse turn. When the desire for truth shifts from having an eager audience to the audience leaving. When faithfulness isn’t bearing fruit but being forsaken. When yawns of indifference capture the tenor of the times. When the message of Jesus Christ is considered daft and a bore. When the gospel trails the conversation, descending to “and all that” status tacked on at the end of a religious quip.
Here, we’re brought face-to-face with an understanding of and commitment to the mission of God.
By the time Paul writes Timothy a second time, he has poured out his life, nearly at the end of fulfilling his Christian mission, which Christ personally sent him to complete (Acts 26:16-18). Yet, he presses on. He’s staying at it. He’s faithful. He’s committed.
What was it that kept Paul committed?
Many answers might be provided; however, I’m going to provide two answers from Philippians 3:
- Answer 1: In joy and with patience, teach God’s Word because it safeguards all open to receiving gospel truth.
- Answer 2: Let past victories in Christ be mere reminders while pursuing present faithfulness and looking ahead to Christ’s return.
Answer 1: In joy and with patience, teach God’s Word because it safeguards all open to receiving gospel truth.
Point one: Joy in the Lord.
Point two: Repetition with patience.
Point three: Gospel truth safeguards those in your care.
Point one… To have joy or to rejoice in the Lord is to trust God despite circumstances. Click this link for more reflections on Christian joy.
Point two… It’s one thing to repeat yourself and another to do so with patience. What do I mean? Are there times when you’ve repeated yourself and realized by the person’s response that your tone and words are oozing with impatience? I have. In those moments, I need to reevaluate my motivation. Usually, my impatience is rooted in selfishness. Can you relate? What about when patience is required in ministry, both in the giving and the receiving? We need something more than not being selfish to guide us, which leads to the final point.
Point three… The motivation to communicate gospel truth with joy and patience is that it guards those open to receiving it. In other words, the gospel enables salvation and ongoing sanctification. That’s precisely why Paul is not tired of sharing this message of Jesus Christ. Why? Because he knows that even though the gospel has saved and brought people from darkness into light (Col. 1:13), it also enables us to live God’s Word God’s way (Titus 2:11-14).
In conclusion, what kept Paul committed to writing with joy and patience, knowing that the gospel safeguards all open to receiving its truth? Perhaps the answer to that question is found in Paul’s conversion.
On the road to Damascus, Christ appeared to Paul and reversed his destructive path bent on dismantling the work Christ had begun in His newly formed Church. On that road, Paul learned both the patience and secure word of Christ.
Paul was given life by One who gave His life so that Paul might patiently give his life to those needing new life.
In the following article, I’ll provide the second answer…
— October 15, 2024