2 Timothy 1:11-12 (NIV) And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:11-12 (MSG) This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end. *********************************** AN ASSURANCE of our safety in Christ will be found useful to us in all states of experience.- Spurgeon Paul asserts that suffering for the Gospel is no cause for shame. He had no regrets; neither should we. Paul had been appointed to preach the Gospel. He was a herald, the Imperial town crier sent out by the King of Kings to declare the Good News!. We too have been called to do this job. Christs last command to His followers was this, Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. -Mark 16:15 (MSG). If we suffer while doing this, if we are persecuted, ridiculed, laughed at, we suffer no more than our Savior suffered. For He was laughed at, ridiculed, chased out, hunted down, beaten, and crucified. God never promised us that there would be no suffering while we followed Him. In fact, we are told this by the Apostle Paul, Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:3-5 (NIV) God will not allow us to be put to shame for suffering for Him! Paul had the proper perspective on suffering saying to the Colossians, Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. -Colossians 1:24 (NIV) We are not to be seeking suffering out, but if it comes to us we should rejoice in it, for God will always have a plan to use it for His Glory! Paul knew and realized that nothing would or could happen to his physical body until God allowed it. He know that no one could snuff out his life unless it was part of Gods plan. Until that day came Paul worked faithfully pursuing the race that had been set before him. Doing all that he could to bring glory to God, wasting not even a moment. He had nothing to be ashamed of. Spurgeon speaks of Paul in this passage putting it this way, It is as if Paul says, I know the Person into whose hand I have committed my present condition, and my eternal destiny. I know Who he is, and I therefore, without any hesitation, leave myself in His hands. It is the beginning of spiritual life to believe Jesus Christ. Jesus was a distinct Person to the apostle, so real as to be known to him as a man knows a friend. Paul knew nobody else so well as he knew his Lord. If you are trying to keep your own soul, you are in serious trouble and will be rudely surprised one day. You cannot keep yourself safe. Your only hope is to entrust all that you are and have to Jesus. Lay it all at his feet and you will be safe. Do you truly know whom you have believed in? Are you persuaded that He is able to keep that which you have committed unto Him until that day? My Prayer: Lord, I give to you all I am and ever hope to be, because I know that without you I am nothing. I will trust that no matter what comes my way, you are always in control and will not allow me to suffer more than I can handle. I will believe that no one can snuff out my life until your appointed time for me to go home to be with you has come. Help me never to be ashamed of who I am in you. Oh Lord, use me as you see fit to glorify your Name in all the earth!
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:57:36 +0000
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