“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God . . . “  2 Timothy 1:8

In this verse Paul is speaking to his young co-worker in the faith, Timothy. Timothy was ministering in the very pagan city of Ephesus. He was young and surrounded by hosts of non-believers. Paul is writing Timothy from prison and is asking him not be ashamed of Jesus, Paul himself, or the gospel. It seems harsh to use the word ashamed since Timothy was  Paul’s “son in the faith” and had faced persecution with Paul many times for the sake of Christ.  How could Timothy be ashamed of the faith that he so stubbornly defended?

Many of us are surrounded by unbelievers in our daily lives.  Some of the people are more than unbelievers; they may be anti-believers. Some may be indifferent and others may be hostile.  Some might be complacent and others might be combative.  Regardless, it might be difficult to make our spiritual beliefs known to those around us due to the perceived or real responses we might receive. Being outspoken about our faith can lead to all kinds of reactions, good and bad, and sometimes silence seems to be the most prudent policy.

Timothy might have been tempted to be ashamed of his position in Christ for the sake of comfort. Being ashamed does not necessarily mean that he actively

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

rejected his faith, but that he remained incognito in the faith. Sometimes what is left unsaid is as much a statement about the place Christ plays in our life as what is said.  In Timothy’s case (and ours) he was defending a man who was dead, yet was said to be alive. He said (as we do) that this same man wanted to have a relationship with everyone on earth. He described this invisible man (again, like we must) as the forgiver of sins and the giver of life.  Paul may have known that Timothy was wondering if it was best expose himself with this incredible story to the ridicule and incredulity of many. Paul knew that thousands (including us) would face this same dilemma down through the ages.  That is why Paul wrote to Timothy (and us) to stay strong in the faith.

Timothy may have also been tempted to be ashamed of Paul because he was sitting in prison and was on the outs with the higher-ups of Roman Empire.  It is easier to sometimes ignore the plights of our fellow believers than to recognize and support them, thus giving away our position. Paul urges Timothy to understand that

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

anyone who stands on the promises of God will face discomfort.  If we believe that we might face discomfort by identifying with the persecuted, we might stay silent about our faith.  Paul instructs against shamed silence when we see others who are being ridiculed or persecuted for their faith in Christ.

Lastly,  Paul warns Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel. The gospel of the Bible is offensive to the world. First of all, it is exclusive and that is a concept that is not accepted today. To say that there is only one way to be saved is contrary to the all-important tolerance of today’s world. Secondly, it flies in the face of the belief that we can earn our salvation. Finally, it exposes our sinful condition and need for forgiveness. The gospel is a touchy subject and many feel it is  better to avoid it completely than to experience derision and ridicule from others.

If we are not willing to stand up for Jesus, our fellow believers,

and the gospel of Christ, it may mean we are ashamed of the gospel. Total silence may indicate, at the least, partial shame. If we believe that the Bible holds the keys to eternal life and vast blessings here on earth, why be reluctant to share it?  Around the world right now many are being lined up and killed for their faith; here we might be fired upon with insults.  That is a big difference.

We need to ask ourselves this.  If someone we knew suddenly wanted to know who Jesus was, would they think of asking us?  If we have remained in the shadows with our faith, probably not. If we have made our love for Him known, probably so.

Fear not, be not silent, be not ashamed, “for if God is with us, who can be against us.”

 ”Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

All this quarantine stuff has really made me think.  Not being around the family as much has made me realize how easily we can take things for granted.  I can tend to overlook that God has given me such wonderful blessings such as a house, church, safety, friends, and a wonderful family.  Especially family.  If you are like me, I often forget how special that is.  There are those that have no one, and that is not Elaine and me.  We have family to share our laughter and our burdens, and that is a wonderful thing.  The above verse from the love chapter in Corinthians explains how important it to love one another.

Someone once said we should write the good that others do on a rock and the bad they do on the sand to be washed away.  I think that good advice.  If we are not forgiving of others (and especially our family)  for their inadequacies (of which we all have many) the good they do will be overlooked (and there is much good they do)  and the negative will be accentuated (and will cloud our  feelings).  Because we expect more out of those closest to us, we are sometimes much more forgiving of non-family than family; often in the same way that we are more forgiving of non-Christians than Christians (another type of family).

The closer people are to each other, the more they can become irritating.  Porcupines find that out!  Our pokiness will be most apparent to those who get closest to us.  As most of you know you know I don’t shave as often as I should.  To often I let my half beard reach the yucky-pokey state. (When I do that, passers-by drop quarters in my coffee cup!)   When I was telling the grandkids good bye, my beard poked their cheeks and they usually react with an “ouch.”  No other people are particularly  bothered by my beard (well, maybe the looks, but not the feel) because I don’t get that close to anyone else.  When we get close to people like we do in a family, that pokiness is the chance we take, but that is why it is doubly important to remember that  “love is patient.”

Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”  A young Sunday schooler whose vocabulary was not quite developed  read the last part of these verses and said, “poking” one another instead of “provoking” one another.  But is that not accurate?   Many a family back seat has become a rumble-tumble seat because of poking.  If I had a quarter for every time I have heard, “He is poking me”  I would be in the top 1%.  By the way, kids are not the only ones who poke.  

 Notice the key in the above verse-  Living by the Spirit.  There is nothing more frustrating than trying to do all the above things in our own strength.   The problem with us is that we so often do that-  We know what the Christian walk is all about and we try to walk it on our own.  As Barney Fife used to say, “Not goin’ to happen.”

We have all been in the situation where the people that we love most anger us the most easily.  It hurts much more later because we know that “A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13) and we hate breaking the spirit of those close to us.  God calls us to be more Christ-like and to see what Christ was like when He was sent by God.  Even though we have rejected God, rebelled against God, He is patient with us, and  ”isn’t easily angered” (Exodus 34:6).  Instead of giving us what we deserve, He sent Christ to die for us.  He made a sacrifice; He gave his only Son on our behalf  (John 3:16).   That is the kind of love we need to strive for through the spirit.  Sacrificing love that puts others needs before our own.  Love that looks beyond the negative and looks at others through the eyes of God.   We need to put others before ourselves even if they’ve hurt us or angered us,.  We need to be patient with them because love is patient and we are called to patiently love.

Most of us have so much less drama than many families, and we should be thankful (ever watch Jerry Springer, Dr. Phil, or Judge Judy? Wow!).  We need to be there for each other always.  Sometimes we marry into the better or worse covenant, but families have a covenant they are born into it.  We sometimes pick our extended family but God chooses our close family.  Thank you, God, for giving us family.

“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The other morning I was thinking how easy it is to take things for granted.  I forget that God has given me such wonderful blessings such as a house, church, safety, friends, and a wonderful family.  Especially family.  If you are like me, I often forget how special that is.  There are those that have no one, but that is not my family.  We have each other to share our laughter and our burdens, and that is a wonderful thing.  The above verse from the love chapter in Corinthians explains how important it to love one another.

Someone once said we should write the good that others do on a rock and the bad they do on the sand to be washed away.  I think that is good advice.  If we are not forgiving of others (and especially our family)  for their inadequacies (of which we all have many) the good they do will be overlooked (and there is much good they do)  and the negative will be accentuated (and will cloud our  feelings).  Because we expect more out of those closest to us, we are sometimes much more forgiving of non-family than family; often in the same way that we are more forgiving of non-Christians than Christians (another type of family).

The closer people are to each other, the more they can become irritating.  Porcupines find that out!  Our pokiness will be most apparent to those who get closest to us.  As you can sometimes tell, I don’t always shave and my half beard gets in the yucky pokey state. (I try to stay shaved because people keep dropping money in my coffee cup when I am in the scruffy state).  One time I was with the grandkids and I was telling Gracie good bye and my beard poked her cheek and she reacted with an “ouch.”  Not one other person that weekend was bothered by my beard (well, maybe the looks, but not the feel) because I did not get that close to anyone else.  When we get close to people like we do in a family, pokiness (I think this is a made up word) is the chance we take, but that is why it is doubly important to remember that  “love is patient.”

Paul tells us in Galatians 5 that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”  Notice the key here.  Living by the Spirit.  There is nothing more frustrating than trying to do all the above things in our own strength.   The problem with us is that we so often try to do that.  We know what the Christian walk is all about and we try to walk it on our own.  As Barney Fife used to say, “Not goin’ to happen.”

We have all been in the situation where the people that we love most anger us the most.  It hurts much more later because we know that “A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13) and we hate breaking the spirit of those close to us.  God calls us to be more Christ-like and what did Christ look like when He was sent by God?  He was everything Galatians 5 calls us to be. 

We should be patient with others because God is patient with us.  Exodus 34:6 tells us He ”isn’t easily angered.“  Instead of giving us what we deserve, He sent Christ to die for us.  He made a sacrifice; He gave his only Son on our behalf  (John 3:16).   That is the kind of love we need to strive for through the spirit; sacrificing love that puts others needs before our own.  Love that looks beyond the negative and looks at others through the eyes of God.   We need to put others before ourselves even if they’ve hurt us or angered us,.  We need to be patient with them because love is patient and we are called to patiently love.

We have much less drama than many families I know, and I should be thankful (ever watch Jerry Springer, Dr. Phil, or Judge Judy? Wow!).  Members of families need to be there for each other.  Sometimes we marry into the better or worse covenant, but families have the same covenant, only they are born into it.  Thank you to my family for being so easy love (and I will try to be easier to love, but until then be patient!). Thank you, God, for giving us family.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”1 Thessalonians 5:14-18.

We make decisions every day and we would like to make decisions that are compatible with God’s will. But how do we know God’s will? I believe that about 99.99%of God’s will can be found in the Bible. If we think we have found God’s will but our decision is contrary to the Word, we can be assured that it is not God’s will. But it is not that easy!What about things that are not spelled out for us. What if we are trying to decide what job to take, which house to buy, or even where to put our money, can we really find places in the Bible that can help us?

When making decisions like this, the first thing we should do is to see which of our decisions will be more compatible with God’s Word.  If the decision will result in compromising a Biblical truth, then it would probably not be a good decision.  Let’s say we were considering taking a new job, but that job would greatly interfere with our ability to spend any time at all with our kids.  Because there are many verses in the Bible that point to importance to family, we might see this as an indication that that job might not be God’s will and thus not to our advantage.

So where do we find these very helpful verses?  All through the Bible!  Let’s just take a look at five verses from 1 Thessalonians and look at how many valuable aids Paul has left us if we are trying to do God’s will.  If we are making a choice and that choice will violate one of the following instructions, we should think twice before making it.

Take a moment to think about these clear and powerful exhortations concerning the will of God for believers in our verses from Thessalonians. These exhortations express the specific will of God in relationships with others, with ourselves, and with the Lord. Packed into these short verses are patterns of life and behavior which will receive His blessing in these relationships.

“Warn them that are unruly…” When we know people who are idle, undisciplined, pleasure seeking, they need to know the danger they are in. Watching silently as people destroy their lives is not in the will of God. Other parts of God’s Word show us how to approach them; these words just tell us we should.

“Comfort the feebleminded…” We should comfort people who are disheartened, disoriented or confused.  We should come alongside them with brotherly affection, encouraging words, and prayer.

“Support the weak…” Our natural tendency is to despise and neglect weaker people, to stay away from them since they have nothing to offer us, can damage our reputation and often require a long-term time commitment. Jesus says find them and lift them up whenever we can.

“Be patient toward all men…” We must realize how patient God is with us, and that “patience” is the first thing that love is. See 1 Corinthians 13:4 for confirmtion!  Patience means waiting in love and hope, with prayer, for people to see what they need to see, do what they need to do, change how they need to change.

“See that none render evil for evil…”  We should not allow evil men in this world to corrupt our own behavior and character. This is a constant temptation throughout life because evil people are everywhere, including the church.  It is easy for us to compromise our own faith because others do it. We need to stay strong in light of worldly influences.

“Follow that which is good…”  Doing good of every kind is our lifelong mandate as believers; there are millions of ways to obey it. (unfortunately also as many ways to disobey it)  God’s will for us to do good toward all men – even those who don’t deserve it!

“Rejoice evermore…”  This is sometimes a tough one to get a handle on, but we know that Jesus has rescued us from an eternity unspeakable misery and pain to everlasting joy and pleasure. This constant reality in our lives can give a reason to rejoice even when the woes of this world attack us.

“Pray without ceasing…” Some of us might find the idea of praying constantly just a pipe dream. The Lord, however, is wide open to communication with Him 24/7, why not continually include Him in your words and thoughts?  He should never be far from our minds and we should continuously look for reasons to speak to Him.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you…”;  Before we pray, before we work, before we travel, we should be do so in the spirit of thankfulness.  Gratitude can change our whole approach to everything.  Thankfulness to our Redeemer in all things lets Him know that we know who is in charge and what He has done for us.

Just think what the result would be if all Christians followed just these instructions from Thessalonians on a daily basis.  It is often said that if all believers looked like believers, it would cause the biggest evangelistic explosion the world has ever seen.  God’s Word shows us how to be the kind of people we should be.  If we will search for God’s will in the scripture and will act on the His will, we will be different.

The will of God is not so hard to figure out when we realize that these kinds of verses we see above are throughout the entire Bible. Just obeying these exhortations in these verses can give us direction in many, many decisions. Wherever the Lord calls us, He calls us to live out these things. God’s Holy Spirit inspired these words, and He alone gives us the power to carry them out. Our part is to believe and act, and He then will direct our paths.

“And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” Mark 16:6

We had a Good Friday service at our church last night and I was very touched by the experience. It wasn’t a dramatic production; it was just a simple service that described the truths of the crucifixion and resurrection. We would hear a reading of scripture, meditate on that scripture for a short time, sing a song that related to the scripture and then do it all again. We did that several times and then ended with communion. It was small crowd of people, typical of any church happening outside of Sunday morning, but as I listened the scripture readings, sat quietly pondering their words, and sang (the best I can), I found the emotion overwhelming.

I think I was struck by the greatness of the sacrifice that Christ made for me. Jesus knew that His ministry would be punctuated with pain that no man had ever felt, nor would ever feel again. Yet, with that ahead of Him, he loved and served others, and then went willingly to the cross. As I realized that, it was overwhelming. Tomorrow morning we have a Sunrise Service at the Wildlife Safari and I am sure I will be touched once again. But last night’s experience is not typical. Too often I take the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for granted and instead of being moved by His sacrifice, I just go through the motions.

Romans 10:9-10 is one of my favorite verses and I can rattle it off without even thinking and unfortunately, sometimes I do. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Christ did all the work and we, if we choose, receive all the benefit. If the resurrection had not taken place the world would not be the same. We would not have our calendar, we would not celebrate Christmas, Good Friday would not be good, and no one would have the opportunity for eternal communion with God. So tomorrow I don’t want to go through the motions; I don’t want to sing songs without listening to the lyrics; I don’t want to listen to a sermon while my mind flits somewhere else. I want to feel what I know- Jesus is Risen; He is Risen indeed, and He has gone to prepare a place for me.

Have a wonderful Easter.