Heralds Digest

"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) Expectation does not only enhance realization, it equally promote the pressure of performance. When the focus in all of human actions is self, the mind is expected to manage well the shame arising from failure to perform. However, the testimony of Apostle Paul was built on belief, rather than experience. There will be a great relief when our confidence is focused on a gracious belief in the Saviour Jesus Christ, and not on self. Christ-centered performance analysis maketh not ashamed.

"..greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy." (2 Timothy 1:4 NKJV) Fellowship is generally measured by the sense of compliance to the call for physical gathering, especially when the purpose of the meeting is acceptable to members. Hearts are mostly united whenever the singular motive of their fellowship is the worship of God. However, the fellowship between Apostle Paul and Timothy underscores the fact that physical gathering must not represent a limitation to true fellowship. Whenever pain and gain are mutually exchanged, even under constraint for physical gathering, true fellowship cannot be short-changed.

"O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge." (1 Timothy 6:20 NKJV) Respect before men is tied to position. While some demand respect based on the position of age; others would consider the position of wealth - financial, academic, material, etc. As a young pastor that was saddled with the responsibility of leading the Church of God, Timothy needed to be wary of the danger of guarding the honour due to his position, while the most important possession is depleted. When our relationship with God is consistently kept [guarded], nothing else good can be consistently unkept [unguarded].

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV) Godliness is sometimes misconstrued as a sign of weakness, and a deficiency of the aptitude to fight for something good. Unfortunately, this misconception is borne out of a lack of proper distinction between good fight and bad fight. Good fight uses faith, instead of force. The use of the latter represents a subtle submission to the will of the devil. And no one engages the devil's assistance in a fight for right and keep right. Unlike force fight, faith fight cannot lack any of the ingredient of righteousness, godliness, faith, patience, love, and gentleness.

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV) The problem with the spirit of discontent, even when personal rights to principal gain and promotion are violated, is the abuse of grace. Therefore, the scriptures rightly posited that godliness is not a means of gain. Actually, it is a method of grace. While the method of grace consistently employs the Spirit of God to take the lead in resolving challenges in life, the means of gain engages the spirit of "fight for your rights", no matter whose horse is gored. Sincerely, contentment with the leading of the Spirit of God always prevail at last.

"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." (1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV) Ordinary honour means a great fortune to followers. After all, they are used to giving honour, and not receiving. Therefore, it is natural for followers to pay attention to rules. Unlike followers, rulers are tempted to rule without paying attention to rules for self-use. However, elders who accept to be ruled by the word of God will not abuse the privilege to lead others. This implies that a double honour is worth the reward for any elder who sees the ruling of self as primary responsibility.

"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16 NKJV) Selfishness is the pursuit of self-serving in every service engagement. A selfish man can hardly accept any engagement where there is no clear-cut mode of satisfactory self-serving, before any other fellow is served. While this act is ungodly for all service of earthly rewards, it is encouraged towards the pursuit of heavenly grace. After all, a graceless servant of God cannot serve anyone with the doctrine of righteousness. Therefore, a daily ascent to the hill of the Lord for personal spiritual enrichment is a righteous exception to the concept of selfishness.