34. Why I Persevere

Covering 2 Timothy Chapters 2 – 4:

“Why I persevere” are Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:10, and they are descriptive of everything Paul conveys to Timothy in his final exhortation just weeks before his death. Nonetheless, this title then applies directly to each one of us now, upon whom the completion of the age has come.

Because there is more Gospel Word in 2 Timothy than in either 1 Timothy or Titus, I placed Chapter 1 with Titus, for it fits well into “Those Who Watch and Care.” And we are continuing entirely inside the thought of our stewardship over God’s final season of opportunity to show Himself as Love through His Church upon this earth. Paul’s pastoral letters truly come out from the core of the Gospel, Romans 8:18-30, as magnified by Ephesians and focused by Philippians.

The Meaning of Philippians. We hardly scratched the surface in our study of Philippians, yet what we have gained is an accurate understanding of what it means, as an outline.

“Symmorphosed with His death” and “symmorphosed with His glorious Body, the Church,” these two are always related together, for the second is always coming out from the first. Symmorphosed with His death is where we give our lives utterly to the Father, for His Desire, and symmorphosed with His glorious Body is the purpose of all our giving.

This whole picture is described best by the crossing of the Jordan into all the life of Christ. And we think of it as a stewardship given to us. We persevere that this Church might be, for Father’s sake.

Where We Are Empowered. (Chapter 2) • 1 You, therefore, my child, be empowered inside of the grace that is inside of Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which you have heard from me through many witnesses, entrust these things to faithful men and women, those who will be sufficient also to teach others.

Notice the difference in meaning between “in” and “inside of.” They should mean the same, but “in grace in Jesus” has effectively become something separated, whereas “inside of” not only makes it personal and real, but also forces us to think through what is actually happening. Inside of the Person of Jesus, Ruling Verse 10, John 14:20, there is GRACE, that is, the Giving Life that is God. And we are not just inside of Jesus, but we are also INSIDE of that same God-Life of giving. That is where we are empowered.

From Grace to Others. Then Paul gives a primary focus of stewardship, that we entrust to others the same Flow of Gospel Word that we have received from God. – Those who faithfully watch and care. As with the crystalline structure, so the Kingdom grows.

Ruling Verse 10: Inside of the Person of Jesus, Ruling Verse 10, John 14:20, there is GRACE, that is, the Giving Life that is God. And we are not just inside of Jesus, but we are also INSIDE of that same God-Life of giving. That is where we are empowered.

Kingdom: All ordering of the universe by God’s order comes out from the reality and pattern of the Church. Paul is giving a primary focus of stewardship, that we entrust to others the same Flow of Gospel Word that we have received from God, those who will then do the same for others.

What’s in It for Me? • 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of biological life, that he might please the one having enlisted him. 5 And also, if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he has competed according to the rules. 6 For it is necessary that the hardworking farmer be the first to partake of the fruits.

Throughout this Gospel Word found in the letters to Timothy and Titus, we find three things, first, the Word itself that we share, then, a definition of those who watch and care, that is, the True ministry of the Lord Jesus as He has graced to each one. And inside that definition, we are looking for the real reason of – Why I persevere. God does not exclude the question – “What’s in it for me?”

Sharing Hheart with God. There is no greater value than to share Hheart with God. We are the most privileged people in creation. In everyone of these things, we are defining two things, we are defining God and we are defining those who share Hheart with God. And so we are also looking at Ruling Verse 8.

Nicene Christianity posits a God who has waited six thousand years in seething wrath, hardly restrained, and the Love of God as something that snatches out before it all burns. There is no heart, there, to share. But they have no thought for – What is a God of Travail?

We posit a God who has waited six thousand years in unimaginable heartache, in loneliness and pain, unable to intervene until the time already set. How can we know such a Heart, that we might share it?

The Father’s Reward. Could Jesus be making us to be the Father’s reward? Is God the One seeking the prize? What is the unending reward of being made a Highway for our God? What is the possession of that which God wants above all?

Definition: We posit a God who has waited six thousand years in unimaginable heartache, in loneliness and pain, unable to intervene until the time already set. How can we know such a Heart, that we might share it? Our reward is also the Father’s reward, and the Father’s reward is ours.

Ruling Verse 8: To share Hheart with God, that is, to share Jesus, is the greatest of all prizes, making us to be the most privileged people in the universe. Our reward and God’s is the Church, brethren walking together inside of Love.

Why I Persevere. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, issuing out from the seed [the sperm] of David, who was raised out from the dead according to my gospel. 9 In this gospel I suffer hardship, even to being chained as an evildoer. But the word of God is not bound. • 10 This is why I persevere through all for the sake of the chosen ones, so that they also might experience salvation inside of Christ Jesus, with age-unfolding glory. • 11 Trustworthy is the saying: “For if we have died together with Him, we shall also live together with Him. 12 If we persevere, we will also reign together with Him. If we contradict, He then must contradict us. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He is not able to contradict Himself.”

Why do I continue to write and to send out what I write? Yes, I write to know God, but I write also for you, that you also would experience the wondrous Salvation I now know.

For the Sake of the Chosen Ones. Paul perseveres, we persevere – for the sake of all who belong to Jesus – that they also might experience Glorious Salvation.

Who, then, is our hope, or joy, or crown of boasting and exultation? Is it not even you, in the face of our Lord Jesus, inside of His presence? For you are our glory and our joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). This is not hyperbole, an exuberant tossing of words. Other people are the only crown we seek, our only glory and joy. We do NOT think so in our minds or by any human judgment, but we KNOW it is so inside of Jesus. There is no greater faith but that I would value you above all and find your friendship to be my reward forever. There is no greater prize than that I would see you as Jesus to me.

The Gift of Care. I find myself filled with such an ache for the Father’s Heart. We have never known His sorrow and loss; we have never contemplated His Gift of stewardship over His opportunity. To care for the gathering together of God’s people as a sharing of Hheart with God is the greatest reward there is.

Definition: Why do we persevere? Why do we suffer loss? Why do we continue inside the Flow of Gospel Word in all of its costliness? – For our brothers and sisters, that they also might know the Glorious Salvation in which we live. For you are my joy and my crown (see 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

Ruling Verse 8: There is no greater faith but that I would value you above all and find your friendship to be my reward forever. There is no greater prize than that I would see you as Jesus to me. To share Hheart with God in care for the gathering together of God’s people is our only Love.

A Straight Flow. • 15 Quickly and eagerly place yourself as fully proven inside the presence of God, a workman not ashamed, cutting straight the word of truth. 16 But avoid unfit and empty babblings for they will result only in even more disrespect.

I have translated “rightly dividing the word of truth” as “cutting straight the word of truth.” I use “rightly dividing” because that is what most know, but the actual word is “cutting straight.” “Rightly divide,” wrongly understood, could mean “chopping up into little pieces.” “Cutting straight,” however, gives the picture of a channel, a highway, cut right through every obstacle, through which the Gospel Word can freely Flow. The Flow of Gospel Word is so wondrously vast, who would want to yack about anything else?

The Golden Oil. We are speaking of the Golden Oil flowing into the Church, lighting each fellowship in the Fire of the Spirit. This is what it means to honor His Word, not with intellectual study, but through a living Faith. It’s the Word itself that is alive, flowing out from God into us, causing us to be formed by its patterns, that is, just like Jesus.

Definition: The Lord Jesus is the speaking forth of every Word that is God and as such, written upon our hearts of flesh as every Word fulfilled. It is this Flow of Personal Gospel Word that is Jesus, living and energeoing, and now spoken in our mouths, that is the Golden Oil spoken of by Zechariah the prophet, flowing out from God into His Church, lighting every local gathering of believers on Fire, clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ, the revelation of the Father. We “cut a straight path” for such a Word that it might Flow freely.  

The Firm Foundation. • 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone naming the name of the Lord depart from injustice.” – This verse is used as the root definition and argument of Calvinism, yet I am convinced that it is speaking of something entirely different. There are parallels in the meaning, but we are talking about Life, not moral knowledge and performance.

Calvinism argues this. God knows whom He has predestined to be the elect. We cannot know whether we are one of those or not. On our side of things, however, even in NOT knowing, we better get it right, if we want any chance of being elect. Here’s my take, something I wrote earlier. – Covenant is where we stand right now; Kingdom is every next step we take. What does a firm foundation have to do with “I don’t know?”

From Covenant to Kingdom. Covenant is movement within; Kingdom is movement without. Thus we are looking at God’s definition of LIFE. But not Life as something other, rather, the channel of Life into the Church and into creation. We stand upon firm and we step forward with God. We give thanks in the present moment, and we expect God to arise with healing and power.

Life: God is not a “moral” God of “right and wrong,” a God who “requires performance.” God is a Living God, a God who is Life, and He requires a Living connection, the Lord Jesus, with every created thing, that God might be KNOWN.

Covenant and Kingdom: The firm foundation on which we stand is Jesus inside our hearts, for as God knows Jesus, so He also knows us. To “depart from injustice” is to walk every next step shared with God, through faith, in the fruit of just innocence.

You Are What You See. 20 Now, in a great house there are not only golden and silver vessels, but also wooden and earthen ones; and some indeed are purposed for honor, but some are purposed for a dishonorable use. • 21 If anyone, therefore, shall have cleansed himself from these things, he will be a vessel purposed for honor, having been made devoted and useful to the Master, having been prepared for the purpose of every good work.

There are two kinds of people, those who see others as vessels of honor and those who see others as vessels of dishonor. Which one I am is known entirely by which I see when I look at anyone whom God brings my way. To paraphrase Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, “You are whatever it is that you judge others to be.”

Making Pure. This is another expression of “To the pure, all things are pure.” We are what we see. Those who “see” dishonor in others are not wise; those who are wise SEE Jesus as all, first as the One who carries each through the Jordan and then as the glory upon each face.

Definition: Purity is Christ Jesus inside our hearts, having already cleansed away all that was sin (see Hebrews 1:3). Purity then passes through the speaking of our mouths to become the seeing of our eyes. As we are pure in heart, so we see all things as pure. Those who “see” a brother or sister as a vessel of dishonor reveal what is in their own hearts, that they are as they judge, as Jesus said (see Matthew 7). Those who see a brother or sister as Jesus to them, a vessel of honor, show the condition of their hearts, that they see with God.

Being a Teacher. 22 Flee youthful strong desires; but pursue justice, faith, love, and peace, along with those calling on the Lord out from a pure heart. 24 Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations or controversies, being aware that they only become fights. • 25 It is necessary that a servant of the Lord refrain from fighting, but rather to be gentle toward all, able to teach, and patiently enduring what is wrong. 25 In gentleness instruct those opposing, so that God might give them a change of mind into the acknowledgement of the truth, 26 so that they might regain their senses out of the snare of the devil, having been caught under him in his desires.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy here is that he be a teacher. Thus we can read this as descriptions of what makes a successful teacher, one who changes the minds of others.

Able to Teach. A teacher does not bring personal outward pressures into the classroom. A teacher sets the environment of justice and faith for the class. As a writing teacher, I did not allow topics of controversy, lest there be fighting, whether in myself or in the classroom. A teacher disarms those who contradict by honoring them and then by showing something more. A teacher is gentle and patient towards all. A teacher instructs in order to change the minds of the students into the acknowledgement of what is True, that they might escape the emptiness of ignorance. 

Definition: To teach others the meaning of the vast Flow of Gospel Word out from God is the highest calling there is. In these words, Paul defines such a teacher, drawing from how a real teacher operates inside the classroom.

The Fellowship of His Sufferings. (Chapter 3) • 12 All, now, who desire to live in reverence to God inside of Christ Jesus will be persecuted and hunted down.

Martyr’s Mirror, a 16^th and 17^th century Dutch view of the early church, presents many of the martyrs as people eager to be tortured and killed for the sake of Christ. I don’t think that’s God’s meaning. I think God’s real meaning is found in the fellowship of His sufferings. And the meaning is not “martyrs out,” but God in.

Kingdom: We do not seek out persecution. Rather, when it comes, we call it as simply one part of our ongoing fellowship with His sufferings for the sake of our Father. Thus our view is never our “escape,” but always God coming through into our world – for the sake of others.

The Goal of Our Instruction. • 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable towards instruction, towards inner conviction, towards being set straight, towards training inside of justice, 17 so that the man or woman of God may be complete, having been fully equipped toward every good work.

Paul is continuing with what he said in 1 Timothy 1, “the goal of our instruction.” So, yes, Paul is setting the task of the teacher as the most important role of the ministry of Christ. Why? – Because the Salvation of God does not enter creation through us as individuals, even those who are apostolic, but through many together as the Church. Thus equipping others to walk together with us is what we do. Paul never leaves the thought that our task is the construction of God’s House, Ruling Verse 12.

Constructing God’s House. We equip others to equip others. We construct fellowships of Christ that they might then construct fellowships of Christ. Yet Paul is talking about Scripture, which cannot then be “letter of the word,” intellectual study. It can be only the living Flow of Gospel Word out from God into His Church. Such a Flow of Gospel Word is what causes each one to be complete.

Covenant and Kingdom: Paul’s reference to Scripture does not mean “intellectual study,” but rather this Flow of Gospel Word that is Christ Jesus, which causes each one to be complete, to be fully equipped to build the House of God.

The Form for God through Jesus: God’s House builds like the structure of crystals as John saw in his vision. We equip others that they might equip others. We build up each local fellowship that they might then build up further fellowships.:

Paul’s Earnest Intent. (Chapter 4) 1 I earnestly testify, inside the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who is about to judge the living and the dead. • I testify also by His becoming visible and by His kingdom, that you 2 preach the word; that you be ready in season and out of season; that you convince, honor, and encourage inside of all longsuffering and instruction. – • 5 You, however, be sober in all things, bear patiently with the pressures of travail, do the work of an evangelist, and bring your service to full measure.

Paul knows his time is up. He doesn’t know Timothy’s time is up as well, but that doesn’t matter. What Paul is doing is pouring himself into those who will receive as Timothy, to carry the great burden of the revelation of Jesus Christ. This is why Paul perseveres.

I Testify By. I testify by His becoming visible and by His kingdom. – Both of these are His Glorious Body, the Church. And our goal is not “getting people to heaven,” but setting creation free.

Definition: Jesus become visible is the Church now upon the earth, the result of the Apocalypse, as God removes the cover from the eyes of all to see what is already True. And His Kingdom is every next step we share with God and with one another in committed life together.

Ruling Verse 9: Our goal is NOT to “get people to heaven.” Our goal is creation set free through a Church that reveals God as Love among us. To such a goal we commit our lives, ready in season and out of season, to impart such a vision, the knowledge of such a God, to all who love Jesus.

Why We Persevere. 6 For I am already being poured out, and the time of my departure is come. • 7 I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. 8 There is reserved for me a crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will award to me in that day; not only to me, however, but also to all those loving His appearance.

The crown is other people. We carry our brethren in our hearts into God. We persevere for all who love Jesus.

Definition: The appearance of Jesus is the face of the local gathering together, brethren walking together as one. Our just crown is to be part of such a wondrous revelation of God.

Ruling Verse 8: For such a reward we give ourselves to the Father, as living water poured out for others, for we know that Jesus is already such Love poured out into us.

When Someone’s “Time Has Come.” • 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom, to whom is the glory into the unfolding of the ages. Let it be so – it is so.

Modern movies show the death of a loved one as unending and unresolvable grief. We do not know such a thing as believers in Jesus. I miss Peter Douglas, truly, and am grieved by his departure, but I know that he continues in joy towards me, that his companionship in the word I share is unabated. Being kept inside of Jesus in the heavens is REAL, it’s just not yet the Unveiling of Jesus Christ through His Church.

Definition: Even though our goal is NOT to find ourselves in heaven only, through physical death, being kept inside of Jesus in the heavens is real. Those whom we love, but have died, remain very much part of that Salvation of God about to be unveiled now through us.

Why I Persevere. I must conclude by making this personal, for God is personal. When I was just fifteen, BEFORE God planted the rough seed of giving thanks inside my heart, He planted something else, something I hardly understood – the vision of Christian Community as the goal and desire of my life. In all the years since, God has poured so much into me, so much word, so much experience, so many tears, so many deep expressions of joy.

Today, I am alone, just writing this word and sending it out to a few. I am unable to make anything else happen. In November of 1994, I covenanted with God that He would make me ready for such a Church, the vision of community He placed inside my heart. That was 31 years ago. Should I quit? I shall not quit, for I know that God does what He says.

Concluding Timothy & Titus. The ruling thought governing everything in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus is actually found in Ephesians – in 1:9-10, the stewardship we have been given, and in 4:11, the ministry that shares Hheart with God in the building up of each local fellowship of Christ. Ephesians presents the Vision of the Church, Philippians presents the inner working of how such a Vision must become, and Timothy and Titus present the practical outworkings that make such a Glorious Vision real.

And that makes complete sense and will guide all our future study and engagement with God. By the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he knew his time was up. But that does not mean that he was presenting a Church on its way out. Rather, Paul presents a God on His way IN!!!

Thank You, Father. I can now say, with certainty and with deep satisfaction, that I know what Paul taught, I know Paul’s Gospel in meaning and in detail. There is nothing that I would change in the mini-course titled “Living in Paul’s Gospel,” which I wrote in 2020, at the beginning of the present Flow of Gospel Word. But I would now be able to write a more definitive and complete account of that same Gospel of Life. Back then, I wrote in hope that I was beginning to grasp Paul’s Gospel, but now I would write the same with certainty.

I cannot express how much this means to me, for it has been my set and even traumatic pursuit for fifty years. Thank You, my Father, for Your overwhelming Goodness.