COURAGEOUS CHRISTIAN

Read: 2 Timothy 1: 7-14 and 2 Timothy 2: 1-7

'You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.'

(2 Timothy 2: 1-3)

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When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy he was imprisoned by Rome as the result of persecution under Nero, and he realised that his death was near. Alone and cold in his dungeon, Paul writes to Timothy this intensely personal letter, soon after which, according to tradition, he was beheaded on the Ostian Way, west of Rome. The letter contains Paul’s last recorded words.

These times were extremely difficult times in which to be a Christian, and to dare to be a leader in a local church was a sure way to become a martyr. Hence Paul writes to Timothy, his son-in-the-faith, encouraging him to be a courageous Christian in the most trying times that the church had faced.

In the times in which we live today we may not generally suffer the same fate as happened then, being crucified, thrown to wild animals or burned as human torches, but the need is as great today as it was then for us to be courageous Christians. We live in difficult times where the advance of Islam is encroaching continually on our way of life, with radical Islamic extremists bent on the creation of a world Islamic order, kill, maim and create terror and mayhem throughout much of the world. We see the results of their actions in the Middle East, in Asia and in Europe. Governments such as ours seem to be doing all they can to appease this enemy ̶ for enemy it is, with the cry to kill any who dare to disagree with them or who refuse to adopt their stance. Even moderate Muslims are not safe from these extremists. There can be no doubt at all that if the placard waving Islamic thugs, who demanded the beheading of people amid various other torturous threats, had been Christians then the police would have swooped rapidly, cracking heads with batons as they arrested demonstrators and hauled them off to goal. Later there would have been court appearances, fines, community orders and probably imprisonment for some. Let there be no mistake, we live in times when Christianity is under threat in a very real way, and there is a great need for Christians to be courageous.

We are told to be tolerant, yet our tolerance is directed towards the intolerant. Left to our own devices we flounder along, constantly upset by the atrocities being committed, yet when faced by the apparent weakness of the authorities to deal with matters, left with a sense of helplessness. Hence we seem to have no choice but to stand by and watch along with the rest of the world as these radicals continually breach the peace across the world.

We need to remember that our God is all-powerful. He is stronger than anyone or anything else. And we can talk to Him, sure that He hears us. We can share our fears and concerns with Him. We can listen and be guided by Him. Because of our faith in Jesus Christ we can find the ability to be a courageous Christian, part of Christ’s army in this maligned world. We can learn from Paul, and be inspired and strengthened along with Timothy. Paul’s purpose for Timothy was to inspire and strengthen him for his task at Ephesus. In order to do this, Paul reminded Timothy of the heritage that was his to enjoy. Today we need to be reminded of our heritage in the same manner.

We can be strengthened by a knowledge that others believe in us. Paul reminds Timothy of his own belief and confidence in him, encouraging him by that knowledge. When we realise that someone really believes in us we will do anything to avoid letting them down. Paul reminds Timothy of his family tradition. If Timothy failed in his task, not only would he mar his own name, but he would lessen the honour of his family too. As Christians we belong to the family of Christ. Whenever a Christian does something that lets themselves down they let the whole family down as well. We are called to be witnesses for Christ, and that’s something that requires the very best that’s in us. We need to be courageous in our witnessing. All of these factors are part of the heritage that is ours to enjoy.

A courageous Christian has a hope to share. Paul reiterates the fact that he is not ashamed of being a disciple of Christ in verse 12, when he states that If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; (2:12). The hope and faith we have in Jesus Christ are never a cause of shame but always a truth to share. The reason for this hope was Paul’s personal knowledge of Christ. Merely to know Christ was all that Paul needed in order to trust Him.

A courageous Christian has help to offer others in sharing the gospel message with them. It’s not only our privilege to receive the gospel; it’s also our duty to share it with others. In this manner every Christian wears the cloak of a missionary and a link between the generations. Receiving the faith is the privilege of Christians, sharing it with others is the responsibility.

A church grows by multiplication not by addition. Any church that stays behind closed doors waiting for new people to come to them is a declining church. You lead a person to the Lord and then stay with them, helping them through the nurturing process as they gradually grow in faith, and ultimately they will lead others to the Lord in turn.

The Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is an important tool in the teaching of truth and helping us to recognise what is right or wrong in God’s sight. When we share the truths found in Scripture we find that they help both us and others to realise what’s wrong in our lives. Proclaiming the truth of Scripture will equip us in our work of mission as we try to win souls for Christ. Often the truths of Scripture are unpalatable to worldly people, but that’s because they recognise the need to change their lifestyle if they are to please God.

In order to be effective Paul urges that we should not chatter incessantly with theological arguments that prove themselves little more than inane interpretation. It’s important to handle the Word of God correctly, both in analysis and interpretation. In his letter Paul warns Timothy against the temptations which he refers to as youthful lusts (2:22). Temptation is to be avoided by fleeing from anything that would hinder whilst pursuing what helps, and by seeking the company of spiritual people.

He warns Timothy against following social trends in the opening verses of chapter three, advising that as time passes on, social trends will not improve, only worsen. His advice is for Timothy to maintain his faith throughout his spiritual pilgrimage. In 4:10, Paul refers to one of his disciples, Demas, who deserted both Paul and his faith.

Though it is often difficult to maintain your faith the gain for doing so is heaven. The words written to Timothy are powerful words of advice, yet Paul wrote these words in the midst of persecution. This time was the darkest hour in his life; he was about to be executed for a crime that he was not guilty of. Friends were forsaking him. Yet there can be no doubt that the church would eventually be triumphant, despite the prevailing circumstances, which seemed to herald defeat. Paul knew that the second he entered death so he would also go directly to Christ, whom he loved and served with such devotion.

No matter that this letter was written to Timothy almost two thousand years ago, it has a message for us today that is as relevant to our Christian lives today as it was to Timothy when it was written. The challenge is to us to be courageous Christians in today’s world. Hear the opening words once more as if written to you, … be strong in the grace that is Christ Jesus. . . .Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2:1,3).

In other words, be a courageous Christian!

Amen