Passage Read: 2 Timothy 1-2
Meditation Verse: 1:8
Thought
It is easy to be afraid to be identified with those who suffer because of the Gospel and Jesus Christ. There is a natural, earthly, human desire to distance ourselves from them. Perhaps they went too far in their teaching or their example. Perhaps they were too mean. We don't want to think they brought shame to Jesus, but we are afraid they might bring suffering our way. They might trigger a large-scale persecution against all Christians. So we want to be nicer, more friendly, less confrontational, more gentle, less dogmatic, and anything else that will make us more palatable to non-believers. That's the natural response, but not the spiritual response. The spiritual, godly response is to join in suffering with those who suffer for preaching the truth. It is not to shrink back in fear and self-preservation, but to carry forward in witnessing and warning and preaching the truth. The Gospel is a Gospel of love and compassion--to those who repent and believe. But to those who refuse to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be darkness and eternal torment. Love and compassion warns of such danger. It doesn't gloss over or deny the coming judgment. The coming judgment is a key motivation to proclaim the Gospel through which men can make peace with God and be saved. It is not considered friendly or welcoming to those who want nothing to do with God, who want no master who will limit their expression of fleshly lusts and selfish desires.
Application
When someone else suffers for a faithful ministry of the Gospel, I need to not think less of that person, but more of them, and I need to step up and carry his same mantle and mission. I don't need to wait until someone suffers; I need to proclaim the true Gospel, the saving Gospel, the uncomfortable Gospel to all men, whether they want to hear it or not. If I love them, I will warn them at the risk of my reputation and safety. If I love myself, I will keep to myself and mind my own business, and call it being "nice, gracious, considerate, kind." I'm not being kind if I'm not warning them of the wrath under which they live and the doom that lies ahead of them. I'm not being considerate if I'm not calling them to turn away from their rebellious ways and turn to God to walk in submission to Him, by faith in Him and His Son and the work they have completed for all who believe.