Christ's Instructions

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316) 1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly
supplies us with all things to enjoy.

In other words; providence is where the real security is because it's controlled by
God rather than controlled by market fluctuations.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth and/or
virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit an aristocratic
masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words: conceited people
think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for anything; no, they can
get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only the weak need religion.

● 1Tim 6:18-19 . . Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be
generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good
foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter wrote at
2Pet 1:4, which offers a lasting return on one's investment.

● Prov 19:17 . . He who is gracious to a poor man lends to The Lord, and He will
repay him for his good deed.
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317) 1Tim 6:20 . . Avoid impious and vain babblings, and oppositions of science
falsely so called:

Not all science is false. The kind we need to be wary of typically shows up in
informal group discussions, i.e. forums, bull sessions, and brain storming; wherein
people shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're talking about.

For example: one day at work a man in the break room said he believes it's
arrogant to assume there is no other intelligent life in the universe but that found
on earth. You know why he said that? Because he heard it said first by someone he
admires, ergo: he was perpetuating a logical fallacy in the form of a credible
opinion.

BTW: On June 28, 2024, The US Supreme Court overturned a long held opinion, the
so-called Chevron Deference Doctrine, which was basically an argument from
authority, i.e. a logical fallacy which supposes that someone's position, or their
credentials, makes their views more important and/or more likely to be correct than
the views of lesser folks.

In a nutshell; just because someone is high up on the "expert" totem pole does not
eo ipso make them right and/or worth repeating. Caveat Lector.
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318) 2Tim 1:8a . . Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (cf.1Pet 4:16-19)

Christianity is rooted in Jesus Christ. So when people identify themselves as
Christians they're saying that they're his followers; i.e. they're aligned with him and
they accept his teachings and his claims as the God's truth; while at the same time
categorizing themselves as kooks and religious fanatics; and thus open to mockery
and unkind gossip.

It's tough, but we have to bite the bullet lest when we meet Jesus, he gives us the
same look he gave Peter on the night of the Lord's arrest. (Luke 22:61-62)

● Mark 8:38 . . If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and
sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his
Father's glory with the holy angels.
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319) 2Tim 1:8b . . Don't be ashamed of me his prisoner; but Join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Peter distanced himself from Christ on the night of the Lord's arrest, no doubt
fearing that if he were to admit to being one of the Lord's associates, he'd be
arrested too. It appears Paul was concerned that Timothy, who was normally a loyal
associate, would do the same to him while he was behind bars.

The power of God is involved in one's suffering for the gospel when He sets you up
for it.

● Phil 1:29 . . For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe
on him, but also to suffer for him.

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more common
forms of suffering are privation, fear, anxiety, despair, despondence, humiliation,
threats, hunger, loss of friends and family, ostracizing, ridicule, mockery, harsh
criticism, judgmental remarks, insults, intimidation, name calling, demeaning
comments, ugly insinuations, slander, teasing, harassment, bullying, unfairness,
prejudice, intolerance, disassociation, treachery, and betrayal, etc.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "granted" basically means to bestow as a favor,
i.e. a gratuity. In other words: the adversities described above should never be
cursed as bad luck when they just might actually be providential blessings.

● 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch
as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed,
you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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320) 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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321) 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:

● Isa 56:10-11 . . 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. (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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322) 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.

● Gen 18:18-20 . . 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.
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323) 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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324) 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.
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325) 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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326) 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.

Paul fabricated portable shelters for a living (Acts 18:3). The Greek word for
"rightly dividing" means to make an accurate cut as opposed to a clumsy 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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327) 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 thinking.

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; they
just end up 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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328) 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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329) 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. For
example middle age usually doesn't kick in till somewhere around the age of 40 or 45.

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.

Anyway, the kinds of lusts that Christian youngsters might consider avoiding are
those that fall in the scandalous category.
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330) 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, endless rebuttals, 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, endless rebbutals, and perpetual bull sessions typically deteriorate into
quarreling, demeaning comments, anger, frustration, animosity, malice, reciprocity,
recriminations, accusations, antagonism, and hurt feelings.

● Phil 1:27 . . Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
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331) 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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332) 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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333) 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.

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

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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334) 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.

● 2Tim 4:3-4 . . 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.

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.

Lord, make me right the first time,
Because you know I never change my mind.
(Unknown)
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335) 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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