LIVING LIFE AT THE POLES

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LIVING LIFE AT THE POLES
by Philip Owen

A believer may live his life at either of two poles. (And though it might seem that there might be points along the graph between those opposites—some sort of gradations, percentages, or, to use a popular term, nuances—I suspect that God’s view is more polar than ours: we are either at one or the other.) Descriptions of the poles are found in close proximity in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. The one pole is mentioned in regard to Paul’s personal testimony, the other relates to a description of one of Paul’s former colleagues, Demas.

The negative pole: A love for this present world (II Tim. 4:10). Paul makes the observation concerning Demas, a former comrade and laborer in the Lord, that Demas, had forsaken Paul because he “loved this present world.” It is a devastating biography, a grievous epitaph. Beyond the fact that Demas was named among those whom Paul named as greeting the Colossian church (Col. 4:14) and greeting Philemon (Phm. 24) and that he deserted Paul in order to go to Thessalonica, Scripture records nothing concerning Demas. Paul says all that can be said concerning one who, though redeemed, has lived for temporal things. A scathing denouncement might be appropriate, but instead we hear only the silence of great disappointment and sadness, the emptiness of a life “bought with a price” but utterly wasted on selfish pursuits.

I fear it will be the epitaph of far too many 21^st Century believers: we have loved this present world. Far too many of us have not lived lives of selflessness and self-sacrifice. We may not be unethical or immoral. We may pay our taxes, obey the law, be faithful employees, friendly neighbors, regular church goers, tithers. It is not that we give no time or attention whatsoever to eternal things. But our love—the governing motive for what we do—is rooted in the things of this present world. What dominates our thoughts, dictates our time, and determines our choices is the stuff of this life.

The positive pole: A love for Christ’s appearing (II Tim. 4:8). Paul assures us that a “crown of righteousness” is “laid up,” not only for him, but “for all them also that love his appearing.” Paul does not leave what he means by “loving Christ’s appearing” either nebulous or undefined. He is not speaking of some syrupy emotion. To love Christ’s appearing can be explained in precise, concrete terms. Paul mentions three in the preceding verse (v. 7).

First, to love Christ’s appearing means to “fight the good fight.” Those who love Christ’s appearing engage in battle—a battle for truth and for righteousness, in their own personal lives and on behalf of those around them. Second, they “finish the course.” Demas may have begun well (we do not know), but he certainly did not finish the course. God’s will is paramount from beginning to end. Third, they “keep the faith.” They declare the truth of God, and that truth governs their actions. Their proclamations and practice are consistent with the Word of God.

It is humanly impossible to “love Christ’s appearing” perfectly. But we should recognize our willful detours into “loving this present world”, not as foibles, vacations from harsh reality, or some other equally egregious rationalization, but as the sins that they are, and we should confess and forsake them. We should be aware of the reality that choice leads to choice, and sin to sin ,and that a momentary transgression that is excused quickly becomes a pattern that ends up in a wasted life. We believers are called upon to love Christ’s appearing; that is a choice, which, according to the grace of God and in His power, we can make.

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LIVING LIFE AT THE POLES by Philip Owen

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LIVING LIFE AT THE POLES
by Philip Owen