Sanctified Diplomacy Series

During basic training as a United States Marine, I had a platoon sergeant who was tough. He had only recently returned from Viet Nam where he had been engaged in one of the bloodiest series of battles to that point in the war, having served during Operation Harvest Moon. He really wasn’t concerned to make his platoon comfortable when he wakened us early each morning, demanding that we fall out of the rack and prepare ourselves for physical training. He wasn’t concerned that we might have delicate feelings that were easily hurt when he spoke gruffly, demanding that we excel at the tasks he assigned each day. He was preparing us for combat. He was our best friend, though we were not convinced of that at the time.

Similarly, the preacher that speaks the truth is equipping us for spiritual warfare. He is not trying to make us feel good about ourselves. Rather, he seeks to honour the Master, encouraging us through speaking the truth in love. He loves us enough, and he loves the Master enough, to “reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” [see 2 TIMOTHY 4:2]. Though the sermon presented may not be polished, he will faithfully “preach the Word,” and we will be encouraged to persevere because of his faithful declaration of the whole Word of God.

Whenever the ambassador from the Court of Saint James comes to Ottawa to present his credentials, he will wear his many medals and decorations as demonstration of his position. Paul was the ambassador of the highest court of heaven. In effect, through the text the Apostle asks, “Would you like to see my medals?” Then, he points to his chains and says, “I am an ambassador in chains.” He was suffering, he was in bondage, he was treated meanly; nevertheless, he represented the Living God to sinful man. His invited those reading this letter to enter into the battle by praying for him to be bold as he declared the mystery of the Gospel.

Paul was unconcerned for his personal comfort, though he undoubtedly was suffering. He would write Timothy, urging him to “share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God” [2 TIMOTHY 1:8]. This invitation to join in suffering was repeated. “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” [2 TIMOTHY 2:3]. He would urge Timothy to anticipate that his service would entail suffering when he wrote, “Always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry” [2 TIMOTHY 4:5]. It was not merely academic, for the young theologue was reminded, “You … have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured” [2 TIMOTHY 3:10, 11]. Paul pointed out that suffering is the lot of all believers who have a desire to follow the Master: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” [2 TIMOTHY 3:12]. Deprivation and trials are the lot of the child of God.