11022024 Promise of Life

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the only one who can promise life. Paul opened his second letter to Timothy with these words: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” (1:1).

What is the “promise of life” that is found in Christ? At the minimum level, no one exists without Christ. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17). I believe the meaning behind Paul’s greeting goes much deeper, however. After all, every person on earth exists.

Throughout this short letter, I believe Paul refers to three deeper levels of life that are promised in Christ. First, in Christ, we have the promise of true life, of spiritual life. The appearing of our Savior “abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:10). This eternal life is certain, because “the Lord knoweth them that are his” (2:19). Eternal life is when God gives to those who believe “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2:25-26).

The second level of life that Christ provides for Christians is abundant life, which far surpasses life without Christ. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul describes this as a life “of power,” and not “of fear” (1:7). It is a life of purpose, a “holy calling … according to his own purpose and grace” (1:9), a “good thing” committed to Timothy as a minister of the gospel (1:14). It is a life of “grace” that provides strength for ministry (2:1). It is a life of “honour” for those who are cleansed and set apart “for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2:21). It is a truth-filled life, unlike unbelievers who are “ever learning, and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (3:7) and who are deafened by “fables” (4:4). It is a life under the care of the Savior who can rescue, as he did when “the Lord stood with [Paul] … and strengthened” him (4:17). “Out of them all the Lord delivered me” (3:11). It is a life of Scripture-infused wisdom, knowing “the holy scriptures” which profits in “doctrine, … reproof, … correction, … instruction in righteousness” and “thoroughly furnish[es]” the man of God” (3:15-17).

Third, in this letter Paul encourages Timothy to look forward to eternal life. Paul confidently declared, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (1:12). Paul knew that day was coming, based on the example of Christ. “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead” (2:8). Not just for himself, but for all believers, Paul anticipated “the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him” (2:10-12). Paul looked forward to “his appearing and his kingdom” (4:1) and knew that God would preserve him “unto his heavenly kingdom,” where there would be “glory for ever and ever” (4:18).

Paul’s personal testimony reflected his confidence in the promise of life to be found in Christ. As he looked toward the end of his earthly life, he rested in this knowledge: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (4:6-8).

Thank God for the promise of life through Christ. Not mere existence, but spiritual life, in which we are rescued from death and the devil. Abundant life, filled with divine enablement and focused on purpose, truth, and usefulness in God’s work. Then blessed eternal life with Him, absolutely certain, and waiting for each one of us. When God promises life through Christ, it is an amazing promise!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA