"Guarding The Treasure"

In his final effort to urge Timothy to overcome his fear/timidity as a disciple of Christ Jesus, Paul affirms his own determination to hold fast, even in the face of a violent death. His words here have been immortalized in song, prayers and teaching in every succeeding age, since Christians have struggled to maintain vibrant and dynamic faith when faced with Satan's threats. Hear Paul -

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.....Guard the good deposit (treasure) that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." 2 Timothy 1:12-14 NIV
"You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV

That word "know" means see, understand and ultimately - TRUST. Can you see yourself in these stirring words? Go back and read them again! Standing guard over a treasure (the gospel of Jesus Christ) begins at the point of truly understanding the seriousness of Jesus' mission and his inclusion of me as one of his foot soldiers in the daily fight to accomplish that mission. "I know whom I have believed" is much more than going to a church building on Sunday, a few songs and planning the next "fellowship" with my friends. There is nothing wrong or bad in any of those things unless our "church" experience becomes about us and what we want, like or expect.

Think of it like this - is your Christian life like being on a cruise ship or a warship? I've been on both and both sail on the sea but what happens on board is very different. Everything about a cruise ship is designed to cater to the comfort, expectations, needs and entertainment of the passengers. A cruise is all about food and games with options to just relax and enjoy the ride. On a warship, every minute of every day and night is organized to either go into battle or prepare for it. Believe me, it's not a pleasure cruise with food and games and relaxing entertainment.

Paul reminds his son in the faith and me, we are at war every day and night. Our enemy is totally committed to destroying us because of our faith in Jesus and our love for others who don't know what we know. You and I are included in the succession of entrusting Jesus' treasure to others who will entrust it to others who will entrust it to others on and on and on. It isn't a pleasure cruise. It requires enduring hardship because we "know" something eternally and absolutely crucial that Jesus died to give to the entire human family. But, if they don't know about it, they can't be blessed by it.

Feeling a little guilty? I surely hope not. Guilt is a poor motivation to serve Jesus because it won't last past the exit door of your church building. And I didn't mean for the title of this post to give the sense of a sentry who, like the guards at Buckingham Palace, merely march back and forth to guard the gate. Our "Guarding The Treasure" of the gospel means living it, growing into it, talking about it, being excited about it, praying for it, hungering to always know more about it. In short, guarding Jesus' treasure means being passionate about the mission. Don't go to sleep! Don't become lazy! Don't allow Satan to distract you into thinking this is a pleasure cruise that is designed to cater to YOU.

Speak to us once more brother Paul -

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.
Here is a trustworthy saying - (so pay very close attention!)
          If we died with him
            we will also live with him;
         If we disown him,
            he will also disown us;
         If we are faithless;
           he will remain faithful,
         for he cannot disown
           himself,"  2 Timothy 2:8-13 NIV