THE FOUNDATION, THE HOUSE, AND ITS VESSELS.
2Ti_2:19-21.
Timothy is being warned against a cankerous error that had overthrown the faith of some; but no amount of error can alter the "foundation of God."
I. The Foundation. It is "the foundation of God" (2Ti_2:19).
1. It is Sure. "It standeth sure." This Rock, as a foundation for God’s building, is as firmly established as His own Eternal Throne, for that Rock is Christ (Mat_16:16), and He liveth and abideth for ever (1Co_3:11).
2. It is Unmistakable. Having this inscription: "The Lord knoweth them that are His." Every individual soul that is trusting in Christ is known personally by Him. This is not true of any other religion under Heaven. Multitudes bow to dead prophets and false gods, but the worshippers are individually unknown by the objects of their adoration. "I know My sheep" (Joh_10:14).
II. The House. "In a great house there are different vessels" (2Ti_2:20). This "great house" doubtless refers to the "Church of God" (1Ti_3:15). Which is the biggest and most self-evident concern in the world, because it is the strongest, built on Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of Eternal Truth. It is great, because it is occupied by a great tenant, the Holy Spirit, who is through Christ’s Body, the Church, seeking to fulfil the great purpose of God in the salvation of men. It is a great house, has been abuilding for over 1900 years, and is still being "added to".
III. The Vessels. In every great house there are vessels of different value and design, suited for all useful purposes. "Some gold and silver, some wood and earthenware" (2Ti_2:20). Some to honour and some for common use. Those of gold and silver get the position of honour, because of their more perfect character and special fitness for the higher and more conspicuous service. Those servants who may be classed with the "wood and earthenware" types may be just as useful in their own sphere as their more honoured brethren. The gold and silver vessels are not looked for in the lowly but indespensable work of the kitchen. God’s servants have all their own place in the great house of God. Some prophets, some apostles, some pastors, some teachers, some evangelists, and some who may be the "wood and earthenware," who are taken no special notice of, but who are waiting and ready to be used for anything that the Master appoints. These vessels, though different in character, all belong to the same great house, and owned by the same Master, and are all needed for the one purpose, the fulfilling of their Lord’s will. All have not the same gifts and qualifications, but all are partakers of the same grace. There is no occasion for envy or jealousy. Each one might say: "By the grace of God I am what I am."
But the alchemy of Divine grace is suggested here. It is possible for a common vessel to be transformed into a vessel of honour. "If a man purge himself from all that is false and unclean, he shall be made a vessel unto honour, sanctified and made meet for the Master’s use, fully equipped unto every good work" (2Ti_2:21). "Behold, as the clay is in the hand of the potter, so are ye in Mine" (Jer_18:6). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works" (Eph_2:10). "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"
A DYING CHRISTIAN’S TESTIMONY.
2Ti_4:6-8.
This joyful testimony was written by Paul the prisoner, while lying in a dungeon at Rome, waiting the hour of his doom. It speaks of-
I. A Victorious Past.
1. As a Soldier. He had "Fought a good fight" (2Ti_4:7). He had gone through a glorious contest. He had fought "the good fight of faith" against all the principalities and powers of evil, seen and unseen. It was a good fight, because it was for the goodness he had discovered in his God and Saviour.
2. As a Racer. He had "finished his course." His course was specially marked out for him (Act_9:15-16). The track Divinely ordained for this runner had many obstacles, which proved hard for flesh and blood. "The Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city saying that bonds and afflictions abide me" (Act_20:23). It is ours "to run in the way of His commandments;" it is His to help us to finish.
3. As a Believer. He had "kept the faith." He had guarded the truth revealed to him, and preached and presented the Gospel of God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ. If any man "preach any other Gospel let him be accursed" (Gal_1:8).
II. A Peaceful Present. "I am now ready, and the time of my departure is at hand" (2Ti_4:6). He was ready, like ripe fruit, to fall into the hand of Him to whom he belonged. Death to him had no sting or terrors; to him the grave had no victory. To depart was to be "with Christ, which is far better" (Php_1:23). "Be ye also ready." Our readiness does not consist in the amount of good works we may have done, or the number of years we have lived, but in that "quietness and confidence" in Jesus Christ which brings the strength of His prevailing peace into the heart, and that calmly whispers: "Father, not my will, but Thine be done. Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord. Into Thy hands I commit my spirit." A Scotsman lay dying in a country home, while a snow storm was on. His daughter said: "Father, will I read to you." He answered: "Na, my lassie, don’t trouble. I thatched my house in calm weather."
III. A Blissful Future. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give me" (2Ti_4:8). The crown of righteousness is the reward that is kept for and bestowed upon those who have lived the righteous, God-pleasing life. It is not only for an apostle, but for "all them that love His appearing." Does not this imply that loving His appearing has a gracious and inspiring influence on the life? This faith in, and this looking for, the Coming of the Lord is no vain and fruitless imagination, but an holy incentive to a righteous life. "He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself." "When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1Pe_5:4). The Second Coming of Christ is the enlightened believer’s perennial expectation and the world’s only hope of deliverance (Rom_11:26).
"Behold I come quickly: and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev_22:12).
PAUL’S LAST LETTER
2Ti_4:6-18
There is always a special pathos about the last words of loved ones. Such are very frequently a revelation of the inner character and life. It is so with this final message from the pen of our beloved apostle. As we bow our ear to catch this message, as it were from his dying lips, we are not left to faintly guess what he means. There is a telling ring in his voice, his mind is clear, his words are emphatic, and speak out volumes of truth. They speak of-
I. Perfect Resignation. "I am now ready to be offered." He who had poured out his life in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ was now ready to have his blood poured out as a sacrifice for Him. At one time he was in a strait about this (Php_1:23), but now he was ready. He was like one who had everything packed up in readiness to step on board that ship which was to take him to a better country. Be ye also ready.
II. Assured Success. "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith" (r.v.). He was perfectly confident that his life and testimony as a servant of the Lord was no failure, but that the will of God in calling him to His work had been fulfilled in him. As a warrior he had fought and conquered; as a racer he had abode in the course and honourably finished the race; as a custodian he had firmly kept the faith delivered to him. He was faithful unto death (Rev_2:10).
III. Joyful Hope. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown," etc. The Lord, who was his righteous Judge, had this crown laid up for him, although Nero, the unrighteous judge, had laid up for him a sword. In view of his crowning day, Paul could joyfully sing: "O death, where is thy sting?" The Lord always lays up treasure and honour for those who faithfully serve Him now in the day of His rejection at the hands of men (Jam_1:12).
IV. Painful Experiences. It was surely with a deeply grieved soul that the aged apostle told of "Demas," who had forsaken him, "having loved this present world," and of Alexander, the coppersmith, who had done him "much evil," and of how that "no man stood with him" while on his first trial, but "all forsook him." In all this Paul was a sharer of his Master’s sorrows (Mat_26:56). "Only Luke is with me." Love of the world, backbiting, and cowardliness are still the sins that bring sorrow to many a faithful servant of God. In the world he had tribulation, but in Christ he had peace.
V. Forgiving Love. "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." He is true to the Spirit of his Master in praying for those who "despitefully used him and persecuted him" (Mat_5:44). This ought to be the desire of all who have themselves experienced the forgiving grace of God. To overcome the evil actions of others with your good actions is to fight in the armour of God.
VI. Divine Faithfulness. "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthened me" (2Ti_4:17). While giving his "first answer" before the unrighteous judge, he doubtless experienced the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise: "It is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which is in you" (Mat_10:19-20). Paul’s last testimony, like that of Joshua, is to the unfailing faithfulness of his God and Saviour (Jos_23:14). "Lo, I am with you alway!"
VII. Unfailing Confidence. "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly Kingdom" (2Ti_4:18). Come what may, there is no shadow of doubt or tremor of fear in the heart of this noble man as to his present safety from all evil and his future reward and eternal satisfaction in the coming Kingdom of His glory. He is assured that the sufferings of this present, life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in that day when "He shall appear." Look up, for the day of your redemption draweth near.
Autor: James Smith