30 Days in the Bible, Day 14: 2 Timothy 2:14-19

As Paul describes the essence of the gospel in verses 8-9, there is one phrase that seems almost to be a passing line, but that I think jumps off the page. Paul considers the gospel message something that is of such value that he is willing to be chained in prison for preaching it. Yet he points out that, contrary to him, “God’s word is not chained.”

Throughout history, and throughout our world today, many have tried to stamp out God’s Word. It has been banned and criminalized by those who oppose its teachings. It has been denied and belittled by those who don’t wish to wrestle with the truth it presents. It has even been hidden from people by religious leaders who wanted to make themselves the arbiters of what it said. Many Christians have died not only standing firm for Jesus, but refusing to give up or deny the Bible and its teaching.

Despite all these attempts, the Bible and its presentation of Jesus Christ still have power to change people’s lives today. The Bible truly is unchained. The Word is carried to every corner of the globe through printed copies, radio messages, and the Internet. Many Christians spend their lives making it accessible through translation and distribution. Others risk their freedom and even their lives to get the Bible to those who seek to know more about what it says.

We have looked at the power that the Word has, and how that power is applied through the Holy Spirit. That power cannot be stopped or stifled by human efforts. It may seem for a while that people succeed in removing the Word from their world, but the power of God’s Word has always emerged from their efforts with its power and majesty intact.

In his sermon “The Lover of God’s Law Filled With Peace,” Charles Spurgeon draws this analogy: “The Word of God can take care of itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own

way and ease itself of its adversaries.” The Bible has a power that need sno defense. If we read it, learn it, and preach it, that power will change lives today.

(Spurgeon’s sermon is well worth reading in its entirety. You can find it online at

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons34.iii.html.)

"Seven Seasonable Question for All Believers"

The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon published a monthly magazine for preachers called The Sword and the Trowel. I occasionally read an issue as if it was a magazine I had just received in the mail. (I realize bot "magazine" and "mail" are somewhat outdated concepts these days, but I'm old enough that it makes sense to me. And I actually read them from PDF files.) I came across an article he published in his January 1868 issue, and I think this short article is worth sharing in its entirety, without comment from me:

Seven Seasonable Questions for All Believers- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I. Cannot I do more for Jesus this year than I have done in the past? Have I no wasted time or rusting talents?

II. What shall I do? What form shall my extra effort take? I must not be long in selecting, for time speeds; but, without neglecting my old work, what new labor shall I enter upon at once?

III. Can I give more to the work of Jesus? Ought I not to practice weekly storing? Am I a faithful steward with my substance? Am I really returning to my Lord in proportion as he has given to me? How much shall I give at orate?

IV. Ought I not, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to become more Christlike this year? I am certainly older in years, should I not grow in grace in proportion? Shall I not seek more grace at once?

V. Shall not my prayers be more constant and fervent during this year? Might not my whole life be more forceful for good if I had more power in secret prayer? Shall I be content to go on as I have done in this matter?

VI. Must I not labor after nearer communion to Jesus? Why should I not walk in the light of his countenance? Why should I cleave so much to worldly things? Shall there not, by God’s grace, be an improvement in this respect? Is there not grievous room for it?

VII. Can I not this very day aim personally at the conversion of at least one soul? Might I not go at once and talk with some unconverted relative or neighbor about his soul? O Lord, go with me! O Lord, use me in thy
service!

The Depth of Sin

In preparing for this Sunday's sermon, I came across this quote from Spurgeon about the true meaning and depth of sin. May this motivate us all to seek to honor our Lord by resisting temptation today.

"After all his tenderness, in which he has acted towards us as a father to his child, we have turned against him and harboured his enemy; we have found our pleasure in grieving him, and have called his commands burdens, and his service a weariness. Shall we not repent of this? Can we continue to act thus basely? This day, my God, I hate sin not because it damns me, but because it has done thee wrong. To have grieved my God is the worst of grief to me. The heart renewed by grace feels a deep sympathy with God in the ungrateful treatment which he has received from us. It cries out, “How could I have offended him? Why did I treat so gracious a God in so disgraceful a manner? He has done me good and no evil, wherefore have I slighted him? “Had the Eternal been a tyrant and had his laws been despotic, I could imagine some dignity in a revolt against him; but seeing he is a Father full of gentleness and tenderness, whose loving kindnesses are beyond all count, sin against him is exceeding sinful. Sin is worse than bestial, for the beasts only return evil for evil; it is devilish-for it returns evil for good. Sin is lifting our heel against our benefactor-it is base ingratitude, treason, causeless hate, spite against holiness, and a preference for that which is low and grovelling-but whither am I going? Sin is sin, and in that word we have said all."

(From "The Monster Dragged to Light," Sermon 1095, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Vol. 19)

"In a Fog"

As part of my reading project, I read a wonderful devotional article from Spurgeon's magazine The Sword and the Trowel, entitled "In a Fog." This article appeared in the March 1865 edition of that publication. I managed to track down an online version, and I would recommend it to you. It can be found here.

Incidentally, the second article in that issue, also on this page, shows that Spurgeon wasn't afraid to engage with those with whom he disagreed when necessary!