Dead to Me, Alive to Christ (A SOAP Journal from 2 Timothy 2)

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 2 Timothy 2:10-13

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

   If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

   if we endure, we will also reign with him;

   if we deny him, he also will deny us;

   if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself. (2 Tim. 2:10-13)

O = Paul was fully committed to an objective that all who are elect might be saved. He personally manifested the focus of a combat soldier, the disciplined effort of a world-class athlete, and the patient endurance of a hard-working farmer. Paul was bound by chains but God’s word was not bound by such things. In his defense, Paul quoted an early Christian hymn or creed (v.12-13). The key for him centered on the initial phrase, “If we have died with him.” Paul had not just postponed his own agenda for a season—he had died to it—so that he might live for the wonderful redemptive purpose of Christ! He firmly placed his hope in the promises, presence, and purposes of God in Christ Jesus! He did not mourn his own death, but embraced the resurrection life of Christ!

A = I think that this example of Paul is the only way I can effectively “endure with him.” I must stop trying to carry my stuff along with the necessary equipment, gifting, and provisions that Christ has graciously issued to me by the Holy Spirit. I don’t need the civilian stuff anymore. Who am I trying to please? Why am I doing what I am doing? Is it for myself or for the sake of the elect? Is it to please the One who enlisted me or to please myself and/or the culture around me? I need to be dead with him so that I might endure and not deny him in a futile effort to save myself…for those who seek to save their own life will lose it (See Matt. 16:24-26).

I am certainly imperfect in pursuing this purpose and thus I am so glad that Jesus remains faithful even when I am weak and overwhelmed (v.13).

In this chapter there are so many commands to obey—yet so much grace to strengthen me to complete the objective. Jesus Christ will not deny himself working in me!

P = Thank you, Lord, for such a high calling—

may I be strengthened to fulfill it by your grace today, pleasing to you!

May I “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace along with those who are pure in heart” (v. 22)! May I not sell out to culture’s demand that I fight for myself and my rights and desires, but rather, may I die to myself, so I can live with abandon for You!