Focal Passage: Acts 16:1-5, II Timothy 2:1-2, 3:10-12
The term oxymoron is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.” Some short examples of an oxymoron are open secret, clearly confused or my personal favorite — jumbo shrimp.
We might like to think that II Timothy 3:12 would fall into this literary category. Notice that the desire for godliness and the surety of persecution are linked together. God did not intend for us to see these two realities as contradictory.
Describing someone as godly/persecuted is not an oxymoron. In fact, God tells us emphatically “all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Understanding some of the reasons for this divinely designed dynamic will help us in our own journey with Jesus and this knowledge will aid us as we are helping to lead and disciple others.
Bosak
In the passages we are studying Paul and Timothy put on display some of the reasons for this reality. Before we explore their examples further, consider I Peter 2:11. Inspired by the Holy Spirit the Apostle Peter describes believers as “sojourners” and “exiles.”
A sojourner is someone who temporarily dwells in a place that isn’t their native nor permanent home. As exiles and sojourners Christians should understand themselves to be resident foreigners in this world.
As far as this planet goes, Christ-followers are just passing through. Our home is Heaven, and our goal is glory. If we live our lives as people who are “not of the world” (John 17:14) those who are of this world will not understand us. People often fear what they do not understand and what they fear, they often attack.
To get an idea of the hardship that Paul faced read II Corinthians 11:23-28. How did Paul endure such constant peril and persecution? We get an idea from his instructions to Timothy. Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (II Timothy 2:1).
One of the ways that Paul, Timothy, you, and I live as sojourners in this world is that we enjoy a different source of strength.
We can rest and remain steadfast through the grace that we have received in Christ Jesus. The undeserved favor of God should serve as a constant reminder that God is for us and in the present tense will remain faithful no matter the circumstance.
The other aspect of Paul and Timothy’s excellent exilic example is they had a different source of satisfaction. The passion these men had for Christ and His church permeates the passages we are considering. Paul encouraged Timothy to define his life by something more significant than the passing pleasures and priorities of this world. We can see that Timothy was prepared to make significant (and painful) decisions in order to be an effective minister and missionary (Acts 16:3).
Enjoying the gifts of common grace like good food with friends or a fun day on the lake is not wrong and should actually serve as moments of rejuvenation and fellowship.
Unfortunately, these passing pleasures are often made priorities at the sacrifice of things that will last for eternity. Perhaps Paul and Timothy’s example could serve as a reminder for us to find our satisfaction in the aspects of this life that impact the next one. B&R
