Heralds Digest

"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing". (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV) No matter how spirited the devotion to a race, there cannot be any reward until the finishing line is crossed. It is always desirable and equally a privilege to finish the race with a glorious smell like the one on Apostle Paul's face. Unlike many, like Demas and Alexander, he refused to be distracted from loving the appearance of the man who once confronted him on his way to Damascus. Only the excitement of seeing the face of Jesus Christ can sustain the consistent willingness to be poured out as a drink offering. Obviously, the last leap is the glorious departure from this sinful and humiliating world.

"And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry". (2 Timothy 4:4-5 NKJV) The major challenge in ministries today is compromise, or the sensitivity of the body system to comfort and conveniences. Where performance index is determined by physical prosperity, all variables with no promising determinant for material wealth are reasonably compromised. Unlike a jellyfish with high sensitivity to trials and afflictions, Paul's body system was powered by inner sensitivity to the truth of God's word. Evidently, no ministry can conveniently design a tracking system for the treasure of this world and the truth of God's word without losing its focus on heaven.

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution". (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV) Anyone with good sense of modesty knows that godly appearances are both appealing and desirable. As long as it represents an acceptable social norm, anyone would naturally exhibit the desire to look godly. Unfortunately, looking godly is not the same thing as living godly. Living godly implies the eagerness to embrace ridicule in place of respect, without resentment or bitterness. To Apostle Paul, persecution represents the ordinary lifestyle of all saints of God. It is not enough to appreciate the form of godliness, true godliness possesses an irresistible desire for godly living.

"Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work". (2 Timothy 2:21 NKJV) Manipulation of human being against the counsel of God remains the special craft of the enemy. Truly, the devil specializes in hijacking the purpose of the Master, where man is disfigured from being the image of His Creator. Following Apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy, it is the responsibility of the redeemed of the Lord to daily cleanse self from the enemy's discoloration enterprise. A honoured vessel would not bluff the responsibility to live life only for the glory of Lord.

"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus". (2 Timothy 2:1 NKJV) There is a deposit of grace on a believer, arising from his encounter with and ascension into the presence of God. This deposit naturally depletes with subsequent and undeniable encounters with the affairs of life. Therefore, a sustaining grace cannot rely on the deposited grace, but on the grace that is dependent on consistent connection and continuous supply from the throne of grace. Even when our souls are invaded by the tangles of life, our spirits can refuse to be entangled but inspired by a growing grace.

"That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us". (2 Timothy 1:14 NKJV) Until one is subjected to an intense and highly provocative environment, the true nature of the inner chemistry of goodness behind every human gesture remains under discovery. Responses to provocation is naturally unpleasant unless a divine Container, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is enabled. Without a personal consideration of the action and inaction of others, many will be consistent with their to call to love and faith. We are all made as embodiments of goodies, possibly turned grinchy in the absence of the grace of God.

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day". (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV) Jesus Christ suffered and died to pay the price for the sin of the world, thereby bringing those who believe in this sacrifice to life from death. Therefore, the shame of Christ's suffering and death is swallowed by the sound of His resurrection. Like Apostle Paul, all who believe in Christ are encouraged not to be ashamed to suffer for the cause of the gospel. Obviously, it is shameful to be deprived of one's right to dignity and respect, especially for righteousness' sake; but no one can prevent the glory of the righteous' crown at the Saviour's feet. Willingness to suffer shame without being ashamed is a sweet-smelling sacrifice.