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Christ's Law

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● 2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from
me.

The Greek word for "hold fast" means to clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" means a sketch; viz: a blueprint, a schematic diagram,
and/or an example, i.e. a model. (e.g. 1Tim 1:16)

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left clueless as to what it
was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with. And when Moses
was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the Tabernacle, he too was given
designs. In other words, Moses and Noah both made everything according to God
given specifications; viz: Christianity is a God-given religion; He has not left it to
human ingenuity.

What this boils down to is that modern churches have been handed down from
Paul, and to a certain extent from Peter, a God-given pattern for their operations.
When they depart from His pattern, then they are no longer following Christ,
rather; they are attempting to revise his ways.
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● 2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us; carefully guard
what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the responsibility of
church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are known as non vigilant
watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds; for example:

"Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they
cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with
mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack
understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain." (Isa
56:10-11, cf. John 10:11)

So; exactly what is the "help of the Holy Spirit". Well; I'd say it's a motivation, to
the point of obsession, because I think we can safely assume that God is never
half-hearted about His business, viz: a church officer who lacks obsession with his
congregation's spiritual welfare should probably not be in a position to influence
folks in that way.
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many
witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many witnesses"
indicating that his instructions were never intended to be privileged information for
the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints. The things he taught were
transferred publicly rather than deep inside a secret chamber whose access was
restricted to an elite clique of insiders.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the hearing of
witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old excuse of saying "I
didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses would certainly testify that
he did know what he was supposed to do because they themselves heard Paul
instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties and responsibilities just in
case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to the fire; especially a
complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in political activism and civil
disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a pastor's sacred obligations are, then
there's no way they can know whether or not they're getting their money's worth.
In my opinion, an ignorant church is a private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's instructions in this matter were also a practical consideration as nobody
abides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of life. And they
also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. It's a wise pastor
busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge and experience isn't lost to
future church generations. Abraham was commended for this very thing.

"For I have chosen Abraham, in order that he may command his children and his
household after him to keep the way of The Lord." (Gen 18:18-20)
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● 2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one
serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants to please his
commanding officer.

A soldier's primary responsibility is to accomplish the mission assigned by their
commanders. They don't give themselves leave to abandon their posts to go off on
their own personal agenda doing other stuff. Desertion and dereliction of duty are
courts martial offenses.

These days; successful activism depends to a larger and larger extent upon the
participation of evangelical Christians; hence the smart organizers make recruiting
them and their ministers a priority; and their numbers typically end up in a poll
somewhere; thus activists utilize religion as a sort of seal of approval for their
causes; like the way professional athletes sell their names to endorse sports
apparel.

Political activism and civil disobedience may seem like every Christian citizen's duty
when a "worthy cause" comes along; but those causes can be treacherous sirens;
leading to a shipwreck of the ministry of a man ordained to serve Christ.
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● 2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David,
according to my gospel

There are Bible-toting missionaries out there going door to door all over the world
teaching that Jesus Christ's crucified dead body wasn't restored to life; they're
saying it's still dead, and his remains are squirreled away somewhere on Earth in a
condition and a location known only to God.

That is NOT the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself.

Others are adamantly opposed to any ideas that even so much as suggest that
Jesus Christ is one of David's paternal descendants. That too is NOT the kind of
gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself. In point of fact, there is
sufficient textual evidence to very easily prove that Jesus Christ is not only David's
biological offspring, but Adam's too.
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● 2Tim 2:14 . . Command them in God's name to stop quarreling over trifles.

In a Sean Connery movie titled "The Name Of The Rose" church dignitaries
assembled a meeting of the minds to reach a resolution on a theological question
which was: Did the Christ own the clothes that he wore or not?

Well, needless to say, the discussion turned into bickering wherein nothing was
resolved. Tempers flared, shouting ensued, feelings were hurt, and people were
alienated over the issue-- a rather superfluous issue at that.

Christians are often embroiled in arguments over things that in the grand scheme
of things have almost zero importance while all around them are weightier matters
begging their attention.

It's interesting that Paul didn't want Timothy's flock instructed to avoid quarreling
over trifles, rather, to stop. I can't help but wonder how many Christians think to
seek absolution for the sin of quarreling over trifles when they go to God in prayer.
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:15 . . Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does
not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some folks construe rightly dividing the truth as instructions to keep the old
testament completely separate from the new. But that's not even close to what Paul
is instructing.

He was a blue collar tradesman: Paul fabricated portable shelters for a living (Acts
18:3). The Greek word for "rightly dividing" means to make a straight cut as
opposed to a crooked cut; or a cut that misses the line and yields a piece of
material that's either too long, too short, or the wrong contour; thus resulting in a
tent whose pieces won't join properly when it comes time to sew them together.
The results? A distorted tent and a black mark for the craftsman.

The intent is not one of severing the Bible in half and treating each as a separate
book, nor of breaking the new testament in two pieces with the gospels in one and
the epistles in the other; but to be accurate in the whole's interpretations and
applications so that it all fits together perfectly from first to last, like a well made
armoire instead of a hastily constructed rabbit hutch.
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further impiety.

The Greek word for "worldly" refers to heathenism, i.e. secular.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein untrained people discussing
the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their perpetual
deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and personal opinions --
never get to the bottom of anything.

Well, truth isn't meant to be learned by means of discussion; it's meant to be
learned by instruction, taught by someone especially enabled by God for that
purpose. (Eph 4:11-14)

● 1Cor 12:29 . . Are all teachers?

The answer to that is a great big NO!

Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering his
invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible teacher. He
said: We don't have a leader. The group teaches itself. In other words: we speak
as the Spirit leads us to speak.

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are soft; all
they end up doing is chafing each other. That's why files are hardened and
tempered. Well; that man's group lacked a file, so to speak; so I declined
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain from
wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards unskilled use
of the Bible along with sophistry, conjecture, semantic double speak, wild-eyed
posits, theories, flimsy science, and lines of spiritual rhetoric that sound very
convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and
peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

"youthful" is translated from a Greek word which, in the USA, pertains to folks
under the age of 18. But most folks are typically youthful way beyond that age.

The Greek word translated "lusts" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to both
inordinate longings and legitimate longings. For example; the same word is used at
Luke 22:15 referring to Christ's desire for one last Passover dinner with his
apostles.

Two very common lusts among the 18-40 group is the longing for adventure and
the desire for one's life to count for something.

Hippies pursued love and peace but failed because they could obtain neither except
by means of promiscuity and mood-enhancing drugs like marijuana and LSD.

A pure heart is one that's unadulterated; in other words: it's not an unholy
amalgam of good and evil.

Righteousness, Love, Peace, and Purity are all blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:6 . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the compassionate

● Matt 5:8 . . Blessed are the pure in heart

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peaceable

The Greek word translated "blessed" means fortunate. In other words; people
lacking those four beatitudes are deprived; i.e. in a regrettable spiritual condition.
_
 
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● 2Tim 2:23 . . Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce
debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and uneducated.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the propensity
of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're talking about
and/or having the slightest basis for their perspective.

So; if Christians are to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, then they really
ought to avoid spouting their own too.

Anyway, the focus is upon debating which, at its worst, consists of running gun
battles, food fights, and perpetual bull sessions that never get to the bottom of
anything.

Academic debates are quite a bit different. Neither side interrupts the other, nor do
they shout to be heard, nor strive to get in the last word; rather, opponents take
turns presenting what they believe to be evidence supporting their argument until
there comes a sensible point in the discussion when both sides "rest" which is a
legal term for concluding all arguments when neither side has any new evidence to
submit.

Sensible discussions are peaceful and orderly whereas running gun battles, food
fights, and perpetual bull sessions typically deteriorate into quarreling, anger,
frustration, animosity, malice, reciprocity, recriminations, accusations, antagonism,
and hurt feelings.

"Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (Phil 1:27)
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● 2Tim 2:24a . . The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

The Greek word translated bond-servant means slave; ether voluntary or
involuntary. Bond servants are different than captive slaves. A bond servant is
typically someone who's entered into a service agreement with minimal
compensation; usually to satisfy a debt.

Although the choice to translate the Greek to indicate a bond servant was probably
done so arbitrarily, it fits the Christian concept of one's allegiance to Christ.

As regards quarreling:

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and let the Wookie win one. In
other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and pick your fights
carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics; they'll just lead to
anger, frustration, demeaning comments, and flaming remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a rather
annoying propensity to challenge everything you say simply because they thrive on
endless questions.

Another thing: Do we really have to be right all the time? People are entitled to a
second opinion so let them have one. It's good diplomacy; which can be defined as
skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, i.e. tact. In other words: make an
effort to not be one of those in-your-face types for whom every disagreement is an
act of war to be won at any cost.
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● 2Tim 2:24b-26 . . The Lord's servant must . . be kind to all, apt to teach, patient
when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps
God may grant them a change of heart leading to the knowledge of the truth, and
they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the Devil, having been
held captive by him to do his will.

The all in "be kind to all" really should be taken to mean all in Christian
congregations rather than all in the world. The reason being, according to Eph
4:11-16, Christ doesn't dispense his servants for the world's benefit, rather, for his
body's benefit.

For the above reason; Sunday school teachers need to treat the people in church
who oppose them with the same sympathy and consideration as they would
patients in a mental hospital who lack the faculties to know what they're doing
and/or to think for themselves; hence the instructions to be kind, gentle, and
patient because according to the last words in that passage, those folks are
entangled in a bit of paranormal activity not easily overcome by argument.

* Compare Heb 5:2 where it's said that a high priest is able to deal gently with
those who are ignorant and are going astray.
_
 
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● 2Tim 3:12-15 . .You, however, continue in the things you have learned and
become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from
childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the
wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The "sacred writings" upon which Timothy cut his teeth are of course the old
testament's collection; which Paul affirms is useful to Christians.

"Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction that we,
through patience and the encouragement of the scriptures, might have hope."
(Rom 15:4)

NOTE: The Greek word translated "hope" means to anticipate (usually with pleasure
and confidence). In other words: this kind of hope doesn't cross its fingers and pray
for the best while in the back of its mind dreading the worst. No; this hope speaks
of having something to look forward to with the bold unreserved expectation of
obtaining it.
_
 
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● 2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus-
who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom -
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort,
with great patience and instruction.

Preaching and teaching are areas where pastors must take the reins. They can't
wait until their boards take a vote on it. No, the pastor's vote is the only one that
counts because left to themselves, congregations (and boards) are just like any
other flock of dim-witted sheep: they're prone to wander.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to
have their ears rubbed, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance
with their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn
aside to fiction." (2Tim 4:3-4)

Once somebody adopts an error for themselves as the God's truth, they like to hear
it reinforced, over and over again so they feel good about themselves rather than
feeling like a fool for thinking a certain way.

That mindset is very difficult to correct. So, like it's said; the best remedy is
prevention; hence the instruction to "preach the word' lest by preaching something
else a pastor's congregation gets their heads full of wrong ideas, and from then on
they tune out everything that opposes those ideas and/or fails to reinforce them.
_
 
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● 2Tim 4:5a . . Be discreet

Webster's defines "discreet" as: using good judgment, caution, and prudence.

Human nature can be so inconsistent. Though most adults have fairly good
judgment, they oftentimes do things that are contrary to their better judgment and
make foolish choices (especially on Black Friday) because they don't always use
their heads but instead yield to their impulses; and everybody knows that one's
impulses, by and large, are mostly incoherent.
_
 
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● 2Tim 4:5b . . endure hardship

Some of the aspects of hardship are adversity, mischance, misfortune, danger,
hazard, peril; affliction, trial, betrayal, drudgery, toil, travail, anxiety, fear,
discomfort, hunger, thirst, illness, and distress.

Feelings of isolation and loneliness are a part of that too. Nobody really cares to
sympathize with somebody when they're at the top of the food chain. Pastors
comfort others, but who comforts the pastors?

The lives of Christ's pastors are not supposed to be a piece of cake. If they're doing
their jobs in a way that pleases The Lord, pastors will have some struggles.
Hardship comes with the turf; it's a given when Christ's pastors serve him faithfully
and effectively.

The reason being that a pastor is essentially a shepherd. Well; according to Jacob,
that job was a rough career path back in the day.

"Thus I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep
fled from my eyes." (Gen 31:40)

Part of the reason that tending sheep was rough in Jacob's day is because a
shepherd was essentially a security guard, constantly keeping an eye out for
rustlers and predators. That part alone was a 24-7 task; not to mention monitoring
the herd so none of them wandered off as sheep are prone to do. It's no wonder
Jacob lost a lot of sleep outside in the fields; and when you throw in exposure to
the elements; a shepherd's life was really not one to be desired.
_
 
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● 2Tim 4:5c . . do the work of an evangelist

The Greek word translated "evangelist" basically means a preacher of the gospel.

Here in America, we typically think of evangelists as guys like Billy Graham and
Louis Palau. But according to Paul, pastors are supposed to be evangelists within
the walls of their own churches rather than on the road.

My ex-Catholic wife begged and cajoled her Catholic father to accompany her to a
Protestant church back in the 1970's before we met. On that particular Sunday, of
all days, the pastor spoke about money; especially giving it to support his church
and its programs.

My father-in-law was disgusted, and commented afterwards: Protestants are no
different than Catholics; all they care about is money. He never went back. Had
that pastor spoken about Christ instead of money, my father-in-law might have
returned.

The same goes for tongue services, political activism, and people dancing with
rattlesnakes, shouting, shrieking, rolling on the floor and fainting in the aisles. That
kind of stuff is entertaining but certainly not conducive to fulfilling Christ's
command to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
I have commanded you. (Matt 28:18-20)

Sunday morning services are a mission field right here at home. A sharp pastor will
make sure that visitors leave his church with a full hour of real gospel preaching to
think about.

* Paul described evangelism as pastors fulfilling their ministry. (2Tim 4:5)
_
 
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● Titus 2:2 . . Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in
love, in perseverance.

I used to get my watches serviced by an aging repairman at a local mall until the
day finally came when I could no longer tolerate his manners. He was around
seventy-five years old, cantankerous as can be, and perpetually cross. I often felt
like asking him if he ever gave any thought to his future. You know, Heaven is a
place of peace. A hateful man like that repairman would not only never fit in there,
but it wouldn't be fair to the others to permit him in their world.

"Cantankerous" can be defined as: habitually ill-humored, irritable, disagreeable,
bearish, cankered, cranky, cross-grained, dour, morose, sour; crabby, cross,
crusty, huffy, petulant, prickly, snappish; dyspeptic, ill-conditioned, thin-skinned,
complaining, and ill-natured.

A Christian man in old age really ought to be a sweet, mellow guy: a pal and a big
brother for the younger ones rather than somebody they'd prefer do the world a
favor by stepping in front of a bus.
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281) Titus 2:3a . . The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes
holiness: not traducers,

Traducers are particularly ugly human beings; especially the kind that misrepresent
their own friends and say things about them that their friends would never
approve; thus needlessly disparaging their friends' reputations save for the pure
pleasure of having something to say about somebody.

Traducers aren't regular gossips, no, they're malicious gossips. Webster's defines
malice as: a deep-seated, often unexplainable desire to see another suffer. In other
words, traducers like to hurt people for no reason other than that it's gratifying.
_
 
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