City Life Starter

I. The Word: 2 Timothy 2:3-4 AMP

Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.

II. Study Questions

1. What does community mean to you?
2. How do you actively stay engaged with community?
3. What are some ways that you personally sacrifice for the sake of community or fellowship with other believers?

Today I have a very basic but strong word regarding community: quite simply, we’ve got to toughen up. Earlier this week, Cindy and Dani shared great messages about the absolute necessity of forgiveness in relationships. I couldn’t agree more.

I’m sure this message may offend some who have have been deeply hurt in the church, but I must further emphasize that offense has no place in the life of the believer. Period. God has called us to so much higher and better than this namby-pamby kind of Christianity where we all have to walk on eggshells lest we hurt someone’s feelings. In both the natural and spiritual world, if you have not been trained to endure hardship, you won’t make it. It’s not an option; we’ve got to toughen up. If you don’t agree, please read the above scripture once more and really let it sink in and absorb its truth.

In today’s verses, Paul exhorts Timothy to endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Does that mean you let people abuse you and walk all over you? Assuredly not. But it does mean that when you are faced with hard situations, you’re not going to turn tail and run like a coward. You’re going to duke it out like a good soldier. Now I am not suggesting that you have to physically fight anyone. As Pastor Chris would say, please don’t hear what I’m not saying.

In battle, you’ve got to know who your enemy is. For the believer, our enemy is not people: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). People are not the problem. Our fight is with the dark forces and sinful nature that’s holding them captive.

I’ve heard this saying often and I think it’s true: “hurt people hurt people.” In other words, people who have been hurt in life are prone to hurt others. When you have been hurt by someone, the most instinctive thing to do is put walls up. Maybe you have been hurt by someone in the church or someone has let you down. The Lord doesn’t want you to walk around wounded for the rest of your life. He wants to heal you from that hurt and cause you live a healthy, vibrant life in a community of believers.

However, He will not force you to forgive. It is something we do from the overflow of God’s mercy towards us. Without God’s Grace and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, I think it’s absolutely impossible to forgive. It goes against our fallen human nature. But with God, all things are possible.

Going back to the soldier analogy, I think the most admirable quality of soldiers is their sacrificial attitude and willingness be where they’re needed most. The same is true for spiritual family and community. Sometimes you will have to make sacrifices. You will have to forgive people who make mistakes just like they will have to forgive you when you make a mistake. Sometimes it will be uncomfortable and inconvenient. But just like a soldier, you can endure these hardships in order to glorify and please the One we serve.

“Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” (2 Timothy 2:23-26 NLT).

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for harboring unforgiveness and offense in my heart towards _________. With the power of the Holy Spirit, I forgive _________, freely, fully, and finally, just as You have forgiven me freely, fully, and finally. I pray that you would heal my heart of any wounds and I am ready to move on and get on with the great plan You have for me. Holy Spirit, Let’s go! In Jesus Name, Amen.