Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, (NIV) 2 Timothy 1:1
2 Timothy was the last letter that Paul wrote. He penned it from a Roman prison 2 years after writing his first letter to Timothy. Some scholars think that Paul’s life came to an end even before this letter reached Timothy. Even facing death, Paul was sure of his position and purpose as a chosen vessel of the Lord.
In the beginning of his letter he writes that he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.” Paul had not sought out this position of leadership, but neither had he run from it. But, Paul had separated himself from all competing ambitions and desires to concentrate preeminently upon the furtherance of the gospel. Paul was single-minded and passionate for the progress of the gospel.
David Brainerd, the earliest missionary to the American Indians of New England, was also passionate about sharing the gospel with others: “I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I endured so that I could but gain souls for Christ. While I was asleep I dreamt of such things and when I woke the first thing I thought of was winning souls to Christ.”
How passionate are you with furthering the gospel? Has the excitement of it worn off over the past few years? What will it take to revive that excitement for sharing and living the gospel? Will you ask God today to stoke the passion for the gospel that is deep within you so that you can say with Paul, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
