2 Timothy 4:16-18 says,...
Today's verses are 2 Timothy 4:16-18, which read,
v.16 - At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
Paul is wrapping up this final letter to Timothy and also his possible final letter to the world. What are some of his last words? They are continuing to mirror the words of Jesus. Jesus stood alone and Paul stood alone at times. Jesus had his disciples desert Him and Paul has a similar thing happen. Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Paul said, "...may it not be counted against them." Remember Paul was also a witness of the stoning of Stephen who was the first martyr of the faith and he also said similar words.
It should not surprise us when things happen to us that also happened to our Savior Jesus. If we are truly following after Him then what He said would happen will happen and His words coming out of our mouths is what needs to come out. The words don't just come out but they are also to be lived out in that situation. It is a faith strengthener to see similarity and also to validate the faith we have received by the fulfillment of Jesus' words especially in times of persecution or desertion.
v.17 - But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.
In the Roman trial system it had two phases. The first was like our grand jury that determines if there is enough evidence for trial. No one came to Paul's defense at that trial. He would then stand before the second phase of trial and Paul states that he did not stand alone because the Lord stood with him. The Lord gave him to opportunity to once again proclaim the gospel at this trial which was to the court of Rome, the highest in the land. That court represented all the other courts and so it was before "all the Gentiles" which he was sent to to preach the gospel. He went to the highest court of the land with the message of God's grace through the cross of Christ and the lion's mouth, the authorities, was shut like in Daniel's case in the lions' den and he was able to speak of his Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
v.18 - The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
We are rescued from every evil deed by the complete salvation that Christ provided through the cross. We are rescued by Christ and He also transports us from this kingdom to His heavenly kingdom when it is our time. Man's condemnation of Paul was not the determining factor in his life because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is waiting for the fulfillment of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Christ's death made it possible to live with Him forever and to that Paul ends his life giving Him glory forever and ever.
He ends with an "Amen" but a postscript will come tomorrow. He ends with a "so be it," an agreement to all that God has said and what has happened through his life. He was given a mission to accomplish on the Damascus Road and now he had the opportunity by Christ to speak His name in the highest court of the land knowing that Jesus was standing with him in that place. Paul literally goes to the end proclaiming Christ.
It has been amazing to look at Paul from start to finish through these devotionals. You see the depth of his message. You see the focus on his discipleship of others. You see his drive to use every situation as an opportunity to speak of Christ. You see his non-partiality of who God is calling as he speaks the gospel to slaves, women, jail keepers, soldiers, and high officials. You see Paul, a second half of life Christian, someone converted later in life, with greater desire to serve the Lord than those who I have observed and noticed in myself being raised from birth in the church. Maybe us "lifers" of the church need a new fire to be placed upon us and within us to get going for Christ like Paul did to the end. Let's pray.
"Lord, being in and around the church all my life I notice that there are many times that I do not take advantage of the opportunities that You give me. In envision Paul, a newbie to the faith, jumping in ahead of me to speak Your name. Why is that so? Why am I, someone seasoned in the faith, so slow to speak? Convict me Lord to speak as You open up the doors. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.16 - At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
Paul is wrapping up this final letter to Timothy and also his possible final letter to the world. What are some of his last words? They are continuing to mirror the words of Jesus. Jesus stood alone and Paul stood alone at times. Jesus had his disciples desert Him and Paul has a similar thing happen. Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Paul said, "...may it not be counted against them." Remember Paul was also a witness of the stoning of Stephen who was the first martyr of the faith and he also said similar words.
It should not surprise us when things happen to us that also happened to our Savior Jesus. If we are truly following after Him then what He said would happen will happen and His words coming out of our mouths is what needs to come out. The words don't just come out but they are also to be lived out in that situation. It is a faith strengthener to see similarity and also to validate the faith we have received by the fulfillment of Jesus' words especially in times of persecution or desertion.
v.17 - But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth.
In the Roman trial system it had two phases. The first was like our grand jury that determines if there is enough evidence for trial. No one came to Paul's defense at that trial. He would then stand before the second phase of trial and Paul states that he did not stand alone because the Lord stood with him. The Lord gave him to opportunity to once again proclaim the gospel at this trial which was to the court of Rome, the highest in the land. That court represented all the other courts and so it was before "all the Gentiles" which he was sent to to preach the gospel. He went to the highest court of the land with the message of God's grace through the cross of Christ and the lion's mouth, the authorities, was shut like in Daniel's case in the lions' den and he was able to speak of his Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.
v.18 - The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
We are rescued from every evil deed by the complete salvation that Christ provided through the cross. We are rescued by Christ and He also transports us from this kingdom to His heavenly kingdom when it is our time. Man's condemnation of Paul was not the determining factor in his life because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is waiting for the fulfillment of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Christ's death made it possible to live with Him forever and to that Paul ends his life giving Him glory forever and ever.
He ends with an "Amen" but a postscript will come tomorrow. He ends with a "so be it," an agreement to all that God has said and what has happened through his life. He was given a mission to accomplish on the Damascus Road and now he had the opportunity by Christ to speak His name in the highest court of the land knowing that Jesus was standing with him in that place. Paul literally goes to the end proclaiming Christ.
It has been amazing to look at Paul from start to finish through these devotionals. You see the depth of his message. You see the focus on his discipleship of others. You see his drive to use every situation as an opportunity to speak of Christ. You see his non-partiality of who God is calling as he speaks the gospel to slaves, women, jail keepers, soldiers, and high officials. You see Paul, a second half of life Christian, someone converted later in life, with greater desire to serve the Lord than those who I have observed and noticed in myself being raised from birth in the church. Maybe us "lifers" of the church need a new fire to be placed upon us and within us to get going for Christ like Paul did to the end. Let's pray.
"Lord, being in and around the church all my life I notice that there are many times that I do not take advantage of the opportunities that You give me. In envision Paul, a newbie to the faith, jumping in ahead of me to speak Your name. Why is that so? Why am I, someone seasoned in the faith, so slow to speak? Convict me Lord to speak as You open up the doors. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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