2 Timothy 1:1 – Advertising Dependence
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus…
"It takes resources to be revolutionary," connects Tim Hanauer.
The apostle Paul knows it. He uses this reality as an occasion to advertise his dependence on Christ upfront in his spiritual handshake in 2 Timothy 1:1. There is a sweet symmetry in this. For in that initial introduction, Paul has already said he is an apostle OF Christ. That is, he is consumed by Christ's brand, Christ's mission, Christ's reputation. The cross of Christ is his equivalent to McDonald's's golden arches.
But when was the last time you heard or saw McDonald's take up precious advertising space or cultural attention to tell us what vendor supplies their napkins, or their straws? Yet, Paul doesn't hesitate to tell us quickly and repeatedly that while Christ is on the marquee at the front of his life, Christ is also his supply at the back door. Without being IN him Him, Paul seems to be tying together, I could do nothing in my role OF Him.
As by God's design to eyes work together to provide depth perception, so the world needs to see both to understand the root system of our faith. Otherwise, they are ready by habit to assume that Christ is another cause undertaken in human strength. At this cause they may not in appreciation, but they will not discern the revolutionary. As we, though, proclaim with Spurgeon realities like, “Bread is a second cause; the LORD Himself is the first source of our sustenance, the differences clearer.
We may have to wrestle our self-promoting flesh to arrive at that point of Christ's double preeminence even in our elevator testimony, but there is freedom in this surrender. For, today the same lips which acknowledge Christ both in the heartfelt and habitual will under something which does not glorify Him.
If we have already established to brother or sister in the faith and to worldling alike that we are moment by moment dependent on Christ, they may be surprised, but they will be less likely to be scandalized. God may use them to call us on our inconsistency, but even less, by His grace, can keep the conversation going. Even our confession that in us there dwells no good thing, can give us a chance to point to His sufficiency again.
"It takes resources to be revolutionary," connects Tim Hanauer.
The apostle Paul knows it. He uses this reality as an occasion to advertise his dependence on Christ upfront in his spiritual handshake in 2 Timothy 1:1. There is a sweet symmetry in this. For in that initial introduction, Paul has already said he is an apostle OF Christ. That is, he is consumed by Christ's brand, Christ's mission, Christ's reputation. The cross of Christ is his equivalent to McDonald's's golden arches.
But when was the last time you heard or saw McDonald's take up precious advertising space or cultural attention to tell us what vendor supplies their napkins, or their straws? Yet, Paul doesn't hesitate to tell us quickly and repeatedly that while Christ is on the marquee at the front of his life, Christ is also his supply at the back door. Without being IN him Him, Paul seems to be tying together, I could do nothing in my role OF Him.
As by God's design to eyes work together to provide depth perception, so the world needs to see both to understand the root system of our faith. Otherwise, they are ready by habit to assume that Christ is another cause undertaken in human strength. At this cause they may not in appreciation, but they will not discern the revolutionary. As we, though, proclaim with Spurgeon realities like, “Bread is a second cause; the LORD Himself is the first source of our sustenance, the differences clearer.
We may have to wrestle our self-promoting flesh to arrive at that point of Christ's double preeminence even in our elevator testimony, but there is freedom in this surrender. For, today the same lips which acknowledge Christ both in the heartfelt and habitual will under something which does not glorify Him.
If we have already established to brother or sister in the faith and to worldling alike that we are moment by moment dependent on Christ, they may be surprised, but they will be less likely to be scandalized. God may use them to call us on our inconsistency, but even less, by His grace, can keep the conversation going. Even our confession that in us there dwells no good thing, can give us a chance to point to His sufficiency again.
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