Climate Change

I received an important-looking letter the other day entitled "A Call for Climate Leadership." The letter invited me to join a group of national leaders concerned about global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Come to think of it, our national leaders do produce a lot of hot air. But while I care about the environment, I'm more interested in what we can do to change the spiritual atmosphere around us. Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:1-8 offer several ways to encourage a spiritual climate change in the new year ahead.

Keep Christ central. "Preach the Word" (v. 2). "Word" translates the Greek logos, the term John used when he said, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (John 1:14). Paul was telling Timothy, "Keep the living Word at the center of your ministry and your message. Never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ." This is difficult in a pluralistic world where anything seems acceptable in the public arena except the name of Jesus Christ; but he is our only hope. How will you focus your attention on Christ in the coming year?

Be ready to serve. "Be prepared in season and out of season" (v. 2). Serving the Lord is always in season. When it's convenient, and when it's not. When you're in a good mood, and when you're not. When your heart overflows with joy, and when it's breaking with pain. When things come easily, and when nothing seems to go your way. When others are responsive and encouraging, and when no one is there to lift you up except your heavenly Father. What new opportunities to serve the Lord await you in the new year?

Be an agent for positive life-change. "Correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (v. 2). There's a reason pencils have erasers and computer keyboards have "Delete" keys. We all need improvement and correction, and the start of a new year is a great time to make changes. Each new day is an opportunity to ask, "Lord, what do you want to teach me today? And how can I help someone else draw closer to You?"

Be on guard against spiritual pollution. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. . . . They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" (vv. 3, 4). We are a culture of itching ears where many are embracing:

• The myth of macro-evolution—instead of being created in the image of God, we're the product of the impersonal plus time plus chance.

• The myth of relativism—all ethical boundaries are relative and situational; lying, cheating, profanity, and sexual immorality are acceptable because everyone does them.

• The myth of universalism—all faiths are equally valid, so you'll go to Heaven when you die no matter what you believe.

• The myth of meaninglessness—there's no real purpose for life, so we may as well be cynical and sarcastic, living for personal pleasure because nothing matters except having a good time.

Philosophical pollutants like these fill the atmosphere with poisonous spiritual smog. Instead, we need to breathe the fresh air of God's Word.

Be faithful in the work the Lord has given you. "Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry" (v. 5). Like a general advising a soldier as he prepares to enter a war zone, Paul reminded Timothy that the Christian life is not a game to be played but a battle to be fought. Leadership is not an image to be created; it's a character to be developed. Ministry is not an impression to make; it's a mission to be carried out even in the midst of hardship.

Be positive about your future in Christ. Paul told Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist," and an evangelist is someone who brings good news. If you want to shape the spiritual climate, be a hope-giver.

Paul expected to die soon. He told Timothy, "The time has come for my departure" (v. 6)—an interesting way to describe death. Paul was not expecting to disappear; he was going to "depart" for a better place. He was not going to be exterminated; he was simply going to "exit" this life and join the Savior in a place where tears, pain, sorrow, and death have disappeared.

The Lord has not called us to maintain the status quo, but to be instruments of positive transformation in our culture, starting with ourselves. So as the old year ends, may we look to the past and say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (v. 7). Then may we look to the future and say, "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (v. 8).