Paul writes from his prison cell in
This seems foolishness to many, asking, “How can Jesus’
resurrection be good news when it leads to hardship and opposition?” The answer is provided by the prisoner
himself, reading vs. 9
in the New English Bible: “This is the
theme of my gospel, in whose service I am exposed to hardship, even to the
point of being shut up like a common
criminal; but the word of God is not shut
up.” This is one of the few
times I believe the phrase “shut up!” can be used appropriately within a
sermon. Everyone who is able to see the
glorious future that lies on just the other side of our human hardship will be
able to endure and, having endured, will receive by grace the gift of
ever-lasting life! As conveyed in the
spiritual “Swing low, sweet chariot” and “Soon and very soon, I’m goin’ to see the King!”
We live and die in confidence!
Paul succinctly outlines the gospel in verse 8, offering a very simple summary,
describing Jesus in three ways: as the
Christ, raised from the dead, and descended from David. Continuing to verses 11-13, Paul develops a logical pattern,
identifying a variety of actions and their natural consequences. Herein lies what some consider contradictory and controversial, asking “Will
Jesus Christ disown and deny us, read in vs. 12, or will Christ remain faithful to us, read
in vs. 13?”
There is, here, no contradiction. When a person denies Christ, as we read in vs. 12, this is an
intentional choice. If we deny Christ,
Christ is left with no choice but to accept our choice, and deny us in
return. As I’ve said often, “God sends
no one to hell; you have to volunteer!”
This differs fundamentally from those who daily struggle to be faithful
disciples of Jesus, but knowingly fall short of being Christ-like day-to-day. Reading in vs. 13, the salvation of those who desire to be
faithful is secured by Christ’s own faithfulness to them. As when we have trouble praying, the Holy
Spirit intercedes for us. But, for those
who deny and reject Christ’s faithfulness to them, that
ground for hope is rejected and taken away.
I see no contradiction here! The
gospel is clear: Christ died for us, but
will not force us to live for Him! God
loves us, but will not force us to love Him!
Finally,
reading a phrase in vs.
14-15 from the New American Standard Bible: “Handling accurately the word of truth.” The Greek word translated
“handle accurately” describes constructing a straight road across mountainous
terrain or cutting a straight furrow across a large field. This word carries the sense of speaking the
plain and gospel-truth in such a way that it builds up, sets straight, &
offers direction. If done with integrity
and humility, this enables us to appear before God unashamed. Who among us could ask for more than this?
Amen.
Copyright
© October, 2004