- Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, (9) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (10) but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy, his beloved disciple, exhorting him to live for the glory of God and the gospel. Paul writes this farewell letter from a prison knowing his execution was near – he might have felt that Timothy was hesitating to follow where Paul led. Paul’s followers – Christ’s followers – could expect similar treatment or even worse as Paul was a Roman citizen and exempt from certain punishments But the lesson of expected suffering for Christ is all through this letter.
Crucifixion was considered the most shameful and painful death and God ordained this death for His Son to drive home the message of evil vs, good, light vs dark in this upside down real world. This is hardly the feel good message we get today. Our goal of eternal life is worthy of suffering and the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus is the greatest news of human history. God saves sinner with the key word being SAVED. This means we are doomed without God – we cannot do this ourselves. We are saved apart from our works.
We know we will all die. Why isn’t our most important worry our standing before God. Paul is writing to say that through the resurrection of Jesus the power of death is broken and we are free from fear of judgment. We believers stand in Christ who has covered our sins. Paul is telling Timothy to joyfully bring the message that Christ has brought life and light and immortality to those who love Him. If we believe in Jesus we believe He has given us hope beyond a certain grave – worth living and dying for.
This is the investment of our lives. Halfway measures will avail us nothing. C.s Lewis says “Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.”