Are You Willing to Pay the Price?

Any servant of God WILL pay a high price as they choose not to be shallow, normal, simplistic, or common. It is absurd to think we will get through this life unscathed and un-scarred! This is magnified by a sincere desire to serve Christ and lead God’s people to follow him

II Timothy 3 The Spirit of God leads Paul to share with Pastor Timothy about high cost of godliness. He commends the pastor for the careful way he has followed. This includes doctrine, purpose, life style, persecutions, and more. Paul testifies how the Lord has delivered him out of difficulties but he clearly teaches us about paying the price for living and leading in a godly way. “Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” How ever we may define “persecution”, it is never far from one who walks with Jesus.

At first glance this truth in verse 12 seems to limit this promise to the “godly”. Indeed, in this sin cursed world the godly believer will suffer. Yet that is not the limit of the truth. We see that even those who “desire to live godly”  will be tested with suffering. Yes, we do not have to be perfectly godly, because even the desire to live like Jesus will bring us under the truth of this awesome promise.

Now for the disclaimers. I am not speaking of the normal course of life and attendant events. Jesus did teach us that the rain “falls on the just and the unjust”. Praise God, there is grace for every trial!  More to the point is we should not consider it “persecution” if we have acted like a jerk or obnoxious, or foolish, or stupid, or unkind or ………. I’ll stop here!  I borrow cautiously the words of Jesus and say “you have your reward.”

I find there are temptations for preachers and leaders to go more shallow or simplistic or to just be in the norm in order to have a wider appeal. We call it being wise with the message, but it could be we just don’t want to endure the suffering that comes with the godly living that compels the preaching of the whole gospel for the whole man for the whole church.

In the very next chapter comes the challenge to give out the Word of God in all ways, preaching, teaching, counselling, exhorting and at all times. Be sure that the time is upon us that many will not want “sound doctrine” but will seek out leaders who will tell them what they want to hear; tales instead of truth, stories instead of Scripture, entertainment instead of evangelism, good Karma instead of Gospel conviction. We need not be mean-spirited or harsh in presenting God’s good news. The message itself is startling enough and is “foolishness” to those who are in a state of perishing .  The Gospel is wisdom and power to those who believe.

Here is the power to endure. “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, (PAY THE PRICE) do the work of an evangelist, (give the whole gospel to the whole person), fulfill your ministry.” (emphasis mine)

When we are married to the message of the Gospel we will be wed to the power of God that comes with the Gospel.