October 8, 2013
Dear Timothy,
I want you to be dangerous. I don’t mean dangerous as in causing physical harm but dangerous in your faith. I want you to have a dangerous passion for Jesus Christ.
The only way to resist the world’s pleasures is to passionately and zealously guard your heart and allow Jesus Christ to be your Greatest Treasure. He will be your Strength and Rock and Shield and Satisfaction if you allow Him. But you must surrender daily and not cave in to the crap that is offered as a cheap substitute.
Timothy, be alert and be on guard! There is great danger all around you! Counteract this danger with a dangerous passion to pursue Jesus.
Life is War. Anyone who says otherwise is selling junk you don’t need. When you chose Jesus you gave up civilian ways and turned in your Nike shoes for soldier boots. Never forget. Living as a bond servant of Jesus Christ is infinitely superior to being a slave of the devil. The Enemy tempts with temporary pleasures while Jesus promises future Treasure that can never perish.
Timothy, I am ashamed of how many times I found myself sitting on the sidelines while the faithful ones continued trudging toward the Finish Line with their eyes focused on Christ, the Ultimate Prize. In those moments I let the shiny but deceitful trappings of the world distract me thus causing me to look away from Jesus. How could I do that when He has given me life and a spot on His team? I want to be faithful.
I wrote this haiku to my Savior:
To live is to die
Patiently enduring pain
Waiting for Christ’s reign
I pray, dear Timothy, that you would be faithful to the end no matter what the Enemy throws at you. In these last days, there is an abundance of wicked, evil greed, pleasure-seeking self-love and all forms of reckless and prideful brutality. Flee from this! Fight against it! Remember Jesus, Who paid the ultimate price to redeem you from a slave to sin and made you a soldier equipped to fight sin.
But be prepared to pay the price. You will be persecuted for living a godly life in the midst of such reckless and drunken godlessness all around you. Stand firm. Jesus will strengthen you as you admit your weakness. Cling to Him and His great grace. Never let go! Immerse yourself in the Word because He is the Word. If you do this, you will finish well and our Master will be very pleased. It will all be worth it in the end.
The End is coming. Don’t be fooled by what you see. Look to the unseen. Jesus is soon returning and He will judge firmly, fairly and finally! Therefore preach the Word diligently with passion and conviction as you fight to guard your heart. Avoid the wine of the world while staying filled with the Holy Spirit.
I’ll keep on praying for you.
Sincerely,
Jim