Considered Yourself Charged

1 Timothy 1:15-20

 

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, AS A PATTERN FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO BELIEVE ON HIM FOR EVERLASTING LIFE.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

This CHARGE (all longsuffering) I commit to you son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you might wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, CONCERNING THE FAITH HAVE SUFFERED SHIPWRECK, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."


Charged with longsuffering so that Jesus Christ may show in any believer (clearly Paul was the first), for other believers to see, so they may do likewise. Longsuffering means to patiently endure or persevere. We, in Christ, persevere by the prophecies made concerning us: those spoken by christians who pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and the more sure word of prophecy - the living Word of God!


As Timothy, a "true and beloved son in the faith", was seemingly very close to Paul, so should you be with a church that "pursues love and desires spiritual gifts". Your must regularly read the bible, seeking Jesus Christ in it. When you despise prophecies (the Lord's attempt to edify, exhort and comfort) and have not faith (a revelation of who He is and how He does things) because you think you know better, shipwreck may result.

For Blamelessness In Holiness

The First Epistle Of Paul To The Thessalonians

"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything..........(1:2-8)

"....when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." (2:13)

Concerned for their faith, Paul sends Timothy to know how the Thessalonian church were faring. He receives "good news of their faith and love." They are steadfast in what they have heard.

Pretty good report card! Well done, thy good and faithful servant, you are entering into the joy of the Lord! What you have received from Him (through the gifts God has given to men that build up the body of Christ), you are devoted to. Yet Paul tells them that he would like to see their faces and "perfect what is lacking in their faith" (3:10); .....Paul prays that "He (Jesus) may establish your hearts BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS before our God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."(3:13)

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification.....; that each if you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." (4:3,4)

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you COMPLETELY; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, will also do it." (5:23.24)

"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath (the wrath that is certainly yet to come upon the earth), but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ..." (5:8,9)

Why is Paul discussing that we, to the extent that we are walking in Christ like the Thessalonians, should be "hoping" and "attaining" that which so many Christians say they have already attained, when, it appears salvation culminates when He comes to receive His church, those alive and dead, to Himself prior to the wrath that will come upon the earth? It is clear - even the most devoted must press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul and the Thessalonians are!  

Enemies Of The Cross Of Christ

 Philippians 3:17-19

"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that THEY ARE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST; whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven,......."

Enemies of the cross of Christ. Initially, we would say, "I know who those people are; they are against Christianity. They are atheists or from other religions. They fight against christian activity in schools, government, the town square, etc."  Not so fast!

Paul is addressing the Philippian church, the saints in Christ Jesus there. Without doubt, they knew who was sympathetic to the cause. They understood, as we do, that there is a difference between those who have entered into the Lord's salvation and having not entered. It is how we allow Jesus Christ, the head of all things to the church, to build upon that entrance where the challenge lies!

Paul says to these saints:  direct your walking as followers of his example. Many walk, but not after the pattern Jesus has established/is establishing in Paul. I think we must consider that these enemies of the cross of Christ are amongst the church. They don't argue with Jesus' cross, just theirs. In fact, I have encountered few men, inside or outside the church, who are willing to argue Jesus' crucifixion. When the discussion ensues, they reject the notion- their religion has no room for it. Now they are enemies of the cross of Christ.

"And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you AS to sons:

'My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord; Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves (His church) He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.'

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have BECOME partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons."

Ask yourself what you think (for as a man thinks, so is he) about the application of the cross of Christ in your life. Are you an enemy or a friend to the application in your life?

Saints In Christ Jesus

 Philippians 1:3-11

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, INASMUCH AS BOTH IN MY CHAINS AND IN THE DEFENSE AND CONFIRMATION OF THE GOSPEL, YOU ARE ALL PARTAKERS WITH ME OF GRACE. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."


At this point, I would encourage that you return to the beginning of 1 Corinthians/Galatians and read how Paul starts the conversation, comparing the apparent joy with which he greets the Philippian church. You will see that the Corinthian and Galatian churches are not PARTAKERS with Paul of grace (Jesus' all-knowing plan to inspire and empower to righteousness to the Father through Him) for they have either rejected His development by way of the Living Bread or they have stepped away from it - suffering so many things in vain. These Philippians are with Paul, having provided for his needs while he was ministering to the Corinthians and, more importantly, are willingly partaking of the Paul's chains, by example, as our great High Priest ordains.


Paul is an example of man going on to completion in Christ Jesus- more complete in Him than most! These Philippians were willing to surrender as Paul was surrendering. Paul steadfastly confesses that his chains are in Christ; chains that He is not looking to separate himself from!

You can reach the writer of this blog at ngm0811gdh@gmail.com