A Loving Judge

Today’s bible reading, in Amos and Psalms and also in 2 Timothy all have to do with the judgment of God. There are times when we do the daily bible reading and take time to journal that the three passages have similarity in theme. Today is such a day.
OVERVIEW:
Amos 3:7 reminds us:
Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. (NIV)Psalm 80: 17 – 19Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. (NIV)
God is restorative in nature and He does nothing without a clear plan and valid reasoning. I want to focus on Paul’s words to Timothy today and the statement he makes: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.
SCRIPTURE:
2 Timothy 4: 1 - 8
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
OBSERVATION:
Paul knows the God he is about to meet as he comes to the end of his life. He makes it clear that we are being held accountable for the things we do and the attention we give to what God deems important and valuable. Paul is quick to point out to his mentoree the qualifications and goals he must possess and set in order to be effective in ministry. Preach the Word: make sure your life is about proclaiming to others the words of God and Jesus the living word. In all that we are to do as individuals and as a collective community of believers – Jesus must be preached. This past Sunday my entire message was on knowing Jesus. Knowing Him is the key to receiving life, victory and powerful living. In our preaching (declaring truth in creative and various ways) we must be instant (or ready) when we have opportunity and open door. These doors do not always present themselves to us at the most convenient of times. So be ready. Paul is clear about the time that is coming and is already here – when people will not endure or listen to sound teaching. Instead, they will re-write their own script (scriptures) to suit their needs or sinful desires justifying their actions. We live in a culture that is willing to accept and open up to just about any brand of spirituality or religion while negating the value of the true word of God. Today we do have a great number of teachers declaring just about anything you can imagine. Paul gives us great insight when he says: Keep your head! Stay balanced, don’t give up your ability to think, process, question and analyze. Be alert, be sharp – keep your head in all situations. It is what got him through when he was on his missionary journeys and being challenged by religions leaders of the day. Do the work of an Evangelist. He does not call Timothy an evangelist but rather says: Do the work of one. We too will be poured out and someday our lives will come to an end. In funerals, I use this verse as an illustration and remark how Paul was being poured out. He likens his life to that of water and states that he is being poured. I use a large Styrofoam cup and fill it with water and as an illustration of our life in our current state. I then take the water and pour it out into a crystal vase or goblet of great value to show that our life in Christ does not cease to exist – we just are poured out into a grander container. Earth to Earth and spirit to spirit. Paul does not cease to exist; he is now more precious than ever and has simply changed containers. That is what life and death for the believer is like. APPLICATION: Each of us is called to work at evangelizing. It is our assignment regardless of profession or calling. Winning to lost is essential for each believer. It is our Race that we are to run and a part of the assurance we have that we will hear the Lord say: Well done good and faithful servant. Each of us have a general race to run (for example the evangelist) But we also have specific callings that we must live out. Paul is encouraging us to Fight the Good Fight – our spiritual life is a battle and we must fight temptation, desire and the evil one in order to be victorious. We must be willing to go the distance and never give up – to finish the course. The spiritual race is not a sprinters event but an endurance or long distance adventure. Just keep running the race He has set before you. (Hebrews 12). Don’t stop believing – keep the faith. Stay rooted and grounded in the Faith – the Christian faith – keep it and keep it going - and in your belief – don’t be prone to doubt. Let’s keep going and growing and running for Jesus so that when we are done and when the end comes for us we will be judged by the righteous judge – we too can receive a crown.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to have the courage and boldness to follow you and to follow the example of Paul who ran his race and finished his course and kept the faith. May that be said of me. Remove the fear that keeps me from being an evangelist and serving you by telling others of your love and plan for salvation. Thank you for being a righteous judge and a gracious God. Amen.