Adequate

Today is one of those days when I realize the reality of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit. And I don’t mean “today” as in “this current time”, but rather today, like right now. I look at the opening of 2 Timothy 3 which I read this morning, which I read last week and the week before, and understand, of course, that we are in the last times, we have been since the church began. And yet I look at verses 2 through 7 and have to wonder how many of those sins and issues weigh down Christians. Particularly striking is the “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.”

I know Timothy is being warned of those outside the faith, and yet I can see in my own life how I can certainly act as though I am also outside the faith. I praise God for His assurance in my life that I am not, and the flesh in me wants so badly to shout from the rooftops for all to hear about the warning against acting like this or that. Then again, since God has inspired these words, I suppose that is sufficient. Actually, I know it is. And believe me, I have heard that same reproof, correction, from verse 16 of this chapter.

I spoke of this very real battle, and I have a choice to make, as do we all. Satisfy the flesh and react, likely adding to the sin of others, or yield to the Spirit, and allow His word to be sufficient and active, that two-edged sword that is so very powerful in the lives of believers. I know the right answer, I do. I can only imagine that Timothy did as well. I often wonder how he reacted to his surroundings. I wonder how much opposition he faced from those who should have otherwise been desiring to live in a Godly manner. And right after Paul mentions this Godly living, he reminds Timothy that evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Cheery thought, huh?

Yet I believe with all my heart that these heavy thoughts, these seemingly insurmountable burdens are not even a close match for God’s Word. Indeed, it is very much profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. It is very capable of equipping the saints to every good work, in order to reflect that glory which is already God’s.

Honestly, the flesh in me wonders why every believer does not take this seriously enough? And then in His gentle, rebuking way, the Spirit keeps reminding me how much I need to do just that, and that He will ultimately take care of the Word, letting it perform that good work which it has begun in me and every other believer. It is that same Word which tells us to be still, to remain steadfast.

I so pray that I continue to become the man of God mentioned here, that is, “adequate” (NASB), or perhaps “complete”, “perfect” for the purpose God has for me. I pray also that we all have this same goal in mind, perfection for God’s work according to Him, according to His Word.