Getting ready to head out of town, but what I am thinking is - None of the things we "do" is a work to obtain salvation. It is simply so that we may maintain and grow. We don't ever sit in a passenger seat "doing nothing". That contradicts every admonition in the Bible. Why else would he give the five-fold ministry?
"(11)And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (
Ephesians 4:11-13)
There is so much in this passage. I will simply highlight some of the major points that speak to me.
2 Timothy 2
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3Thou therefore
endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5And if a man also
strive for masteries, yet is
he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6
The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but
the word of God is not bound.
10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying:
For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
19
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22
Flee also youthful lusts: but
follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
25In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Timothy is charge to "war" a good warfare.
"This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them
mightest war a good warfare;" (
I Timothy 1:18)
We are admonished to "hold fast the profession of our faith".
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)" (
Hebrews 10:23)
As in
II Timothy 2:13 "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
He is always faithful and just, that doesn't mean we sit in a passenger's seat "doing nothing". This isn't a OSAS truth.
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