Cultivating qualities that guarantee success in our christian walk – 2 Timothy 1v15 – 2v13

There are certain qualities that any one aiming at making a success of his christian walk must possess. Qualities that are not inborn or inherited but must be cultivated, maintained and nourished for the best results. Paul instructed Timothy to reflect on the lessons derivable from the examples of the soldier, the athlete and the farmer to gain insight into these qualities. They include:

1. Dependence on God’s grace (2v1) A mindset that sees every opportunity we have as a privilege is a prerequisite for success. Grace is having what we do not deserve and our relationship with the Master is one of them. Paul considered it a privilege to be enlisted in the Master’s service (1 Timothy 1v12). This quality helps us to develop other qualities that generate commitment to the person who so appointed us. In Peter’s letter to christians in the Diaspora, he prayed for his readers that they would “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3v18). Dependence as the word connote is a continuous thing not a once-for-life shot in the arm – hence the injunction to grow in His grace and knowledge. Dependence on the grace of God helps us fight an otherwise depressing situation such as being unjustly treated and being abandoned as Paul experienced in Rome and described in 2 Timothy 1v15. One is also empowered to appreciate things you will normally take for granted such as visits from friends like Onesiphorus which Paul referred to in 1 Timothy1v16-18.
2. A learner’s heart (2v2). There are no born soldiers, athletes nor farmers. Everyone entering these professions must undergo training. All the qualities required to make a success of those callings – skills, endurance, stamina and patience – to name a few are acquired through training and are preserved through constant practice. Timothy spent sufficient time with Paul to learn from him – the way he taught, prayed, handled challenging situations and loved the Lord. This is what Paul said about him “You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings–what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Timothy 3v10-11). All the student needs to do is to follow the master, serve him, observe his way of life and learn of him and one result is sure  he will, when fully trained, be like his master as the Lord Jesus affirmed: “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” (Lk. 6v40)
3. Endurance (2v3).  Other synonyms of this word include patience, stamina, staying power, perseverance, persistence and tenacity. As long as time is required to obtain the required result this quality becomes very necessary. Paul says that the athlete goes into long training (1 Cor. 9v24-25).The farmer who rushes to harvest an unriped produce does himself harm, the environment the soldier is called upon to function requires that he is patient.
4. Total commitment  to a worthy goal  (v4).  Nothing fires and motivates us more than having something to die for and definitely to live for. This quality helps us to define our life goals and priorities just as the soldier (even the Nigerian soldier!!) is so driven by his commitment to his commander that he does not get distracted by civilian pursuits. Think of what the athlete sacrifices in order to adequately prepare for his races. Hardly anyone can appreciate the bond and the level of emotion that exists between the farmer and his crops. His commitment is total.
5. Obedience (2v5). Samuel drew Saul’s attention to the fact that nothing excites the Lord’s heart as a heart of obedience. “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”(1 Sam.15v22). The Lord Jesus said not those who call me Lord, Lord but those who do the will of His father who will enter the Kingdom (Matt. 7v21). We function in a world where the end justifies the means but not so for the servant of Christ.
6. Hardwork (2v6).  Growing in Christlikeness is hard work, spiritual growth more so. Any time we preach a life of ease, anyone that promotes the concept of instant prosperity as a reward of godliness undermines the very message that he portends to preach. Spending time with the Master is hard work and serving Him calls for all alertness. Our faith is not a bread and butter faith and as Paul experienced most of his life, it some times results in being chained like a criminal. However it is never a wasted effort. The day of reward is coming. Hear what Paul said “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal.6v9-10). His advise to all is “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”(1 Cor.15v58)

 

Lord I pray these qualities into my live and the lives of all my loved ones and friends through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen