“Make every effort to come before winter” (2 Timothy 4:21).
Getting ahead requires effort. If it was important for Timothy to get to where Paul was before winter, it is even more important for us to get to where God is before it is too late. At a higher level, God will certainly say to us: “Do your best.”
Of course, the modern belief is that difficulty and pain should be avoided whenever possible. Spontaneity and pleasure have come to be considered almost unworthy things. But the modern perception is doubtful. Historically, as well as biblically, wise people have always understood that there are some things worth enduring hardship and pain for. The easy chair may be enjoyable at the end of the day, but the main part of life involves getting up and making serious efforts to accomplish worthy goals.
If the goal is heaven, we need to be reminded that we can’t get there by our own effort. If we are saved, it will be by the grace of the Father who was unwilling to leave us in our lost condition. But if God’s love for us was active, our response to Him must also be active. He will help us do whatever needs to be done (Philippians 4:13), but He will not force salvation on anyone who does not care to diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
When Paul wrote about “reaching out to those who are ahead” (Philippians 3:13), he used some vivid language in Greek. New Testament of the twentieth century The strength of Paul’s metaphor comes through with this translation: “straining every nerve for what is in front.” Going to heaven is not for the runner who walks carelessly toward the finish line; This is for those who attempt to Forward – important, trying calmly Effort.
The path of least resistance is the path to ruin, almost without exception. Mark this: If we do not accept the pain of discipline, we will suffer the pain of regret. So let’s not shy away from the hard work that God has given us the privilege of doing. Paul told Timothy, “Make every effort to shew yourself beloved to God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed” (2 Timothy 2:15). If we proceed with anything less than diligence, we will not be pleased with the results. To use Paul’s words, we will be “ashamed.”
“Everything requires effort: the only thing you can achieve without it is failure” (Anonymous).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
