December 24, 2017.  2 Timothy 1-4.

 

’Tis the season.  It is the eve of Christ’s birth.  Doesn't that just give you goosebumps?

(2 Timothy 1:9) 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 

This had been God’s plan from the beginning of time.  He knew how big of a disappoint we would be.  He knew that we would prove ourselves unworthy of His goodness time and time again. Even still, He sent His only son to this earth as our salvation.

(2 Timothy 1:10) 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.

The birth of Christ means the birth of a Savior.  That little baby in a manager grew to become the one who broke the power of death.  

Paul  is writing to his son in the faith in  these passages.  He talks about what leading a life of faith looks like and the challenges that will be faced.  He is writing from prison because of his preaching and has suffered many other forms of persecution and hardships because of his dedication the preaching the good news.  This is what he tells  Timothy;

(2 Timothy 2:10) 10 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

What are you willing to endure to share the gift of salvation and eternal life with someone?  It might mean enduring some weird looks aimed at you, or being rejected.  But it also might mean that you were an instrument in bringing the hope of Christ to someone and them securing eternal life.  If you have ever played the game Munchkins you know each monster has “bad stuff” that happens to you if you don’t beat him and you try to analyze whether the risk is worth it to take on the bad stuff.  Does the possibility of the “bad stuff” associated with sharing the love of God with others (the feeling of uncomfortableness, or the rejection, etc.) outweigh the reward?  

Some would say this is the most wonderful time of the year.  What would make it even more wonderful, is using it as the perfect opportunity to share with someone the true meaning of Christmas and the true love that comes from God.