Timothy Series: My Parents
“Later never happens.”
I decided to give you the saying up front because if I had waited until the middle of the post, or even later, I was afraid that it might get left out and I’d end up writing on a different topic. Because, you know, later never happens.
Picture the scene. The kids are home alone one Saturday afternoon. Their parents are out somewhere doing adult things like going on a date, buying groceries, or working. Before they left, they gave their kids some detailed instructions: unload the dishwasher, put away your clothes, and sweep the kitchen. Simple, right? But you probably know this scene all too well. Parents come home, the tasks were not completed (unless you are talented like THESE GUYS), and the questions start coming. But the only thing the kid knows to say is, “I was going to get to it later.” To which the parents respond, “Later never happens.”
Even though my parents often used this phrase referring to tasks that needed to be done around the house, God has often brought this phrase to my mind in matters of holiness. But I have my parents to thank for making this phrase sink deep into my soul.
Recently, I have loved reading Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. They are filled with such good wisdom. As a young, aspiring leader myself, I have found some good stuff in here to think on. Paul even told Timothy to, “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Timothy 2:7). Paul said this in reference to some of the examples he just gave, but I think he intended it more broadly. Paul often wrote things that are difficult to understand on first read. Even Peter says this in 2 Peter 3:16. Paul wants Timothy, Titus, and us to think about the things he writes. After all, these are Holy Spirit inspired words. These words, if reflected upon and embodied, have the opportunity to transform.
In addition to reading Paul’s letters, I have found myself listening to podcasts and doing some reading on the doctrine of holiness. For reference, I was born and raised in a United Methodist church (although, if I were still a part of the Methodist church today, I would find myself in the Global Methodist Church), did my undergraduate studies (albeit for finance) at a Free Methodist university, completed graduate studies at a Wesleyan-holiness seminary, and have now worked for two other Wesleyan-holiness institutions or organizations. Unfortunately, even with this rich history of Wesleyan theology in my DNA, I am a little embarrassed to admit that I am quite behind the curve in my understanding of holiness. Therefore, I want to understand holiness better. Our churches need to understand holiness better. Christians need to understand holiness better. Not only at the head level, although I am quite interested in the academic world myself, and believe it is going to be an important piece in the revival of holiness in the Church moving forward. But even more than a head knowledge, we need men and women willing to put this into practice. We need a heart knowledge of holiness. By the grace of God, I can see a growing number of people, like myself, interested in seeing holiness pursued with our heads, our hearts, and our hands.
With that said, let’s get back to Paul’s letter to Titus. He says the following in 2:11-14,
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age [emphasis mine], while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
In other words, be holy NOW. Because… Later. Never. Happens.
Think about this. Through the grace of God, we can “be holy, as (He) is holy.” NOW.
In Peter 1:14, Peter says this to the exiles scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.””
Do you believe this is possible? Do you believe this is possible now? I do. I may not fully understand it right now. I may have moments when I mess up and need to ask Jesus to forgive me for not trusting in His Word. But I really do believe that Jesus is capable of bringing about this change in you and in me… now. If this is true, then why would we wait? Why would we put off expecting it to happen?
The scene from earlier is happening right now. Jesus has given us instructions for living a holy life. He wants us to live a holy life. He modeled it for us and He has even given us the Holy Spirit to make it happen. He knows it is not something we can do on our own initiative or power. In a poor metaphor, we are kids sitting at home waiting for Jesus to return. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to tell Jesus someday that I was going to “get around to it later.” Because as we all now know…
Later never happens.
