Paul now tells Timothy how he is to react and live, and he does so first by drawing attention to his own life. We are to be living examples of the life of Christ. So the things he draws attention to are his:
- way of life;
- teaching;
- purpose;
- faith;
- love;
- endurance, persecutions and suffering
Paul had to endure much, but the Lord rescued him from them all. So we are to maintain a godly life in all circumstances, to stay focused on our purpose, and to endure all things. Then we can also be sure that the Lord will help us.
Paul then makes the comforting statement that anyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted. It is not just a possibility, but an almost certainty. Moreover, evil people will go from bad to worst. This counters both the falsehoods of some so-called prosperity teaching, and the "everyone is nice really" attitude of some soft/liberal religions. The Bible is our best guide on all matters.
As Christians we are to be tough, resolved to continue in the way of faith at all times. We should look to the Bible for our instruction and encouragement and strengthening. For all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for equipping and training.
I agree that we are to endure difficult times and God can bring us through them, if they are for our refinement. However, generally, these experiences make us softer in the heart, and help us to see where we needed correction and that others may need this as well. At some time, I may have someone persecute me, at others times, I may be the persecutor (as early on in life before I came to know Christ). My experience showed me that I was not 'evil', I did not even know that my actions were wrong. Once I came to know what was right, I could change. I am definitely a Democrat, and I think there needs to be an understanding of each other. Just because I believe that God can heal even the sociopath and reform more easily those without personality disorders, does not mean that everyone is 'acting' in the good but that the good can be uncovered. One route says: "throw that drug dealer in jail!", now we confirm their message of lack of love and they often get drugs in jail. The 'liberal' route says: "walk a mile in his shoes (in order to find where he lost his shoes)". Put them in rehab, even if takes years. Portugal did this, for example, and their drug use is now cut in half and their violent crime down to nothing. Why? I don't see how Paul enduring hard times 'toughened him', rather they refined him and brought him closer to Christ. The phrase 'toughen up', does not mean 'get over it'. If 'get over it' was working, we wouldn't have a drug crisis on our hands. We have to get in for healing. Yes, I totally agree that some people can be waay more difficult than others, which is where natural/allopathic solutions need to be thought up for more severe mental health issues. Then, of course, there is prayer.
ReplyDeleteSo, Democrats do not disagree about doing what's necessary, they just say 'take a moment to pause and think of a solution'. I can't change the first person who said "toughen up!" and heal them, but God knows where they first learned this and only He can heal them and show them where that doesn't work. Get refined! Ah... Also, I can't stand the phrase 'liberal', just because I believe in helping the poor and finding creative solutions, doesn't mean I think that we should not set boundaries to poor behavior. This society hurts badly for a happy medium.
I disagree that 'enduring hard times' 'toughened up' Paul, would you not say it 'refined him' and brought him closer to God? It's just that, the phrase 'toughen up' generally means 'get over it' (usually your emotions and things that are hurting you, whereas the Lord heals these things, faithfully. He comforts those who mourn). I'm sure the Lord comforted Paul and refined him and strengthened his faith, maybe it 'toughened' him spiritually, but I just don't like this being used as him becoming hardened in any way which is often how this phrase is used.
ReplyDeleteAlso, not sure how many take a 'leap' over to being against those who are Democrats. I am definitely a Democrat and do my best to 'walk a mile in someone's shoes' in order to find where he lost his shoes. I don't believe Democrats think 'all people are good', we are not naive, we simply believe that the good can be uncovered (although with antisocial personality disorders it may take a whole lot of prayer or medical interventions, yes?). At one point in life, I did the persecuting, it didn't make me 'evil', I just didn't know Christ nor was I taught right. Proof I wasn't evil, is that I changed after knowing Christ and He refined/reformed me. We definitely have to set boundaries to people doing wrong. I don't believe a Democrat is against this and I can't stand the use of the word 'liberal'. It implies that we would not set a boundary. What we try to do is really think of the best approach to a situation.
I understand the thought that the Lord was using 'tough love' with Paul, but as he sowed this also he rept. Paul himself had been putting people in jail so maybe him going to jail softened up his heart, though I'm certain God provided for him and took care of him along the way.
Looking at the country of Portugal, they got creative and began putting drug addicts into recovery, their drug use rate went to half and their violent crime went down to almost nothing. Why? They thought of solutions, instead of using 'get over it/toughen up' and putting them in jail they looked at what was going on, what was creating the problem in the first place and then addressing it. 'Toughen up', to me, is an expression that I believe is often invented by someone who doesn't want you seeing or saying something about some kind of verbal or other abuse they are doing. It's an abuse. I pray over this abuse that other Christians have endured and I have to say: "have balance". You don't do the opposite and let someone 'walk all over you', but if you can find balance to get away from or no longer tolerate what is unacceptable and work with those who will work with you, then we can all come to the happy balance of simply being refined and thinking up solutions to all situations, from the austere to the constructive, consulting researchers in various fields.