His Devotion, Separation,
Imitation and Preservation
In 2 Timothy, these four come before us very distinctly, and our understanding of them will prevent disappointment. The most important thing in any service is the furnishing and fitting of the servant. This is treated of from chapter 1:1 to 2:19. The servant must be first formed for his service, and in this section the paramount requirement, devotedness, is before us. Devotion is here manifested in three ways:
1. Antagonism to the ruler of this present world and seeking to deliver souls who are under his sway; that is, he is a soldier.
2. Contending as an athlete to win the prize; that is, he is a racer.
3. Being wholly occupied with hard work — laboring for the fruit; that is, he is a husbandman.
Each of these three exhibits devotion, and each of them requires it.
In the first, he is not only to be against the enemy, but also he is not to be entangled with things here. He is ready to present himself at any point and at any moment at which an enemy may appear. In the second he is striving as an athlete and has two things before him. One is that he shall strive according to the rules of the games, or lawfully; the other is that he may be crowned at their termination. Those who strive lawfully will be crowned. In the third, to labor and not to rest is his work now. The reaping time is to come, when he shall partake of the fruits. He has devoted himself to soldier work, to racing, and to a life of ceaseless toil in the field, with many obstacles to each.
Separation
After devotion to our Lord comes the responsibility of a servant in the midst of servants; that is, his attitude in the house. This is separation. We find ourselves in the midst of many vessels in the house, “some to honor, and some to dishonor,” for these vessels form the state of things in which our lot is cast. Separation is the second mark of the faithful servant here. It is before us from chapter 2:19 down to chapter 3:7. He finds himself a vessel in the house, but desiring to be there “fit for the Master’s use.” For this desirable result he must purge himself from the “vessels to dishonor.” Only such purged vessels are agreeable to Him. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Two reasons are before us which demand that the servant shall act in separation. One is obedience to the Word; the other is to keep a clear conscience, for devotion calls for separation. This is not isolation, for having acted thus, he does not find himself alone. He finds that others have acted similarly, and he is directed not to walk in isolation, but to walk with them. “Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Imitation
Now in chapter 3:8-13 comes our third point, imitation. Satan always imitates what is right with the intent of spoiling it. In one way, to find that imitation exists is an encouragement to a true servant, because it proves that there is a right and real thing. Jannes and Jambres imitated what Moses had done. The action of the Lord’s servant was wrought by the power of God. The imitation is by power also, but it is the power of the enemy. It is a great help when things happen in this way, to know all about them before they come. When we expect them, we are furnished by this scripture with directions for our own conduct in the midst of them. These directions are twofold: We continue in the doctrine learned from Paul, and we also cleave very closely to the Holy Scriptures. It is God’s grand preservative for every servant of His today. But in addition, in chapter 4:1-5, we have active employment in what is good. The servant is not only preserved himself; he is also active in the work of the Master. We have thus his internal and his external provision, and both are necessary.
Preservation
Lastly, we come to our fourth point, preservation. However dark the scene in the world and whatever the confusion of the church, God is calmly having His own way in what goes on. It is a cheer to the heart to look calmly to His side of things. Whether in the world, in the assembly, or in the individual servant, we can trace His handiwork. Through all, come what may, Paul will be preserved, and so will Timothy, and so will all who are likeminded. Even a cruel death may come, but that does not touch the preservation of the faithful servant. This section is in chapter 4:6-18. The Lord will both deliver and preserve all His servants who tread this path “unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Many so-called Christian paths today present far more attractions than those which this second epistle to Timothy offers, but the true servant is not caught by such. Devotion, separation and preservation form the only safe path for us in the day in which we live. No greater attraction to serve the Lord could be presented to faith than the assurance of God’s preservation, though it is only the servant who is walking in faith that will see it. May the Lord graciously turn many of His servants into the present enjoyment of the privileges of such a path. May He keep them in it — all who are there for His name’s sake — for the individual blessing of each servant and for the collective blessing of all His saints.
H. C. Anstey, adapted