A monthly column by farmer, preacher and writer for Jesus, Angus Buchan
When we look at The Book of 2 Timothy 1:1-7 we see that Paul cautions his spiritual son, Timothy, to remind himself and to stir up the gift of God that is within him. He talks about operating in genuine faith and not hypocritical faith. He talks about stirring himself up in the faith that his grandmother and his mother walked in.
We need to remind ourselves very clearly that “…there is nothing new under the sun.” The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, said that in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9. We need to continually walk according to the word of God. To live, breathe and to have our very being according to God’s holy word. We need to remind ourselves continually that there is nothing outside of the word of God that we need to believe in. In fact, I would go so far as to say, that if it is not in the book then don’t believe it, because the bible is complete. There is nothing that is needed to be added to it and there is nothing that is needed to be subtracted from it.
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So, as we start to read the bible more sincerely in the first person, which means putting your name where a person’s name is and taking the gospel literally as your own — your life will be revolutionised. You will start to work by faith and you will start to see things that aren’t, as if they were. You will start to have a more positive outlook on life, because we know that Jesus Christ has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). That outlook comes upon us, when we guard the wellspring of our lives, (Proverbs 4:23).
We are not concerned about sensationalism, because it does not last. It is like eating a bowl of popcorn — it tastes nice at the time, but afterwards we are still hungry. We need to have a stick of biltong, which once eaten can sustain us for the rest of the day.
For example, some will say that because we are New Testament Christians we don’t have to adhere to the 10 Commandments anymore, because we have the Holy Spirit within us and we are saved by grace. That could not be further from the truth. Jesus Himself quoted the whole bible. In fact, He is the bible.
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Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers of all time said very clearly that we need to preach the law because the law reveals to us the hidden sins within the depths of our hearts, and once they have been revealed, then we can expose them and deal with them. And by grace (undeserved loving-kindness) God can set us free and make us also appreciate what Jesus Christ has done for us. No one is more aware of his sin, then I am.
I am a sinner saved by grace, through faith and that not of myself, but it was a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). But I will never take it for granted. So, when we stir up within ourselves The word of God just like the saints who went before us did, then we will have tremendous security. It is genuine faith and our first love for Christ, which will sustain us until He comes to take us home.
God bless you, as you continue to walk the road that the saints have walked before us, looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Angus Buchan
GENUINE discipleship – thank you Angus !!