Turning on the Light: 2 Timothy 1:9-10
“9) who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10) but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Timothy 1:9-10
Jesus came into a world marked by death, misery and suffering. These are the finger prints of the evil and fallen god of this world. He comes only to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10a)
But notice that Jesus has a different mission, “… I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b) The contrast could not be more opposite. You and I have a choice between one or the other.
This is the theme Paul highlights to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:9-10. The purpose of the appearing of Jesus Christ was to “abolish death, and bring life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Every dark place where the gospel is received, darkness turns to light and death gives way to new life. A dramatic transformation takes place.
This life is amazing both in terms of quality and duration. It is both abundant and eternal because it is based on the promises and character of God. Old things pass away, all things become new. It is like a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This is true not only for individual people, it is also true for communities and nations. Deuteronomy 28 describes the blessings and consequences for Israel seeking and honoring God or spurning Him and turning away. That chapter can be the lens through which the history of Israel can be viewed through the ages. When they sought and honored God, blessings came upon them. When they turned from God, everything fell apart and death, decay and suffering came over the land.
The book of Jonah applies these same principles to Nineveh. Though they were a Gentile nation they were accountable to God. Any nation that turns to God taps into the streams of life as Nineveh did when it repented. A time of renewal and blessing came upon Nineveh.
But the opposite is also true, any nation that turns from God starts to inherit the plagues of the god of this world. Death, misery, suffering, exploitation, injustice and recession soon come over the land. The light goes out and darkness begins to reign. Such was the ultimate story of Nineveh as it eventually turned away from God and was destroyed.
This is also the story of the United States. It had a rich history of being founded by godly men and women and was visited by two Great Awakenings. These were followed by times of blessing and then eventual decline as secular influences turned us away from God.
I believe we are currently in the worse moral and spiritual decline of our history. As a result, darkness, corruption, injustice, misery, racial tension and suffering are spreading across the land. The curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 are overtaking us like a plague.
There is no secular, economic or political fix to this erosion other than seeking Jesus Christ and the gospel. 2 Chronicles 7:14 sets down the pathway to revival. It takes humility, seeking God, turning to prayer and sincere repentance. When this unfolds then God promises to heal the land. We need to figuratively take the wicked god of this world off the throne of public consciousness and put King Jesus back on. I am not talking about a president or political figure, I am talking about the core moral and spiritual foundation of our country.
The old Walt Disney movie of “The Lion King” captured this story. When the wicked lion ruled, misery spread as suffering and death swept across the land. When the rightful lion king ascended to the throne, the land was transformed. In my view, it was the last good movie produces by Disney before it’s pitiful decline.
Paul nailed it in this text to Timothy. The appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. As this message is spread and embraced, so spreads the blessings of the true Lion King.
He wants to do this in your life and He wants to do it in every community and nation through the spread of the Gospel around the world. He wants to turn the lights on in every nation. He is the only source of life, blessing, abundance and true prosperity.
Join me in asking God to visit another Great Awakening over our land and the entire world. Join me in the spread of the Gospel both at home and abroad. This will ultimately be fulfilled when Jesus returns. Like Elijah, God wants us to prepare the way for Him. He wants us to spread the Gospel.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
