| “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit” (2 Timothy 4:22). |
| Two days ago we saw that as human beings, we are composed of spirit, soul and body. We also saw that our spirit is the “God-conscious” part of us. It gives us the ability to know who God is, and to have a relationship with Him. But sometimes in the Bible the word “spirit” is used simply to mean the attitude we have, and the way that we do something. For example, in Matthew 5:3 we read of those who are “poor in spirit,” and in Luke 2:40 we read of the Lord Jesus, as He grew up, that He “waxed (became) strong in spirit.” It is important to do the right thing, but the way in which we do things is very important as well. We understand this idea in everyday life. We might say about someone, “He does his work with a good spirit.” |
| When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy the second time, Paul was in prison in Rome, and he knew that he would not be released. While it does not tell us in the Bible, we know from history that he was executed shortly after writing this book, probably by being beheaded. Paul also knew that things were becoming more difficult in the church, and that some were giving up the precious truth which he had committed to them. Paul had to say, “All they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Timothy 1:15). They were still Christians, but they did not want the truth of God that Paul had given to them. They wanted an easier path — a little more freedom to “drift along.” |
| In view of all this, Paul told Timothy to be faithful to the Lord, and not to give up what he had told him. But Paul also knew that when things started to get difficult, it would be easy for Timothy to become a little hardened, and perhaps not act with grace and love towards those who were unfaithful. For this reason Paul wanted the Lord Jesus Christ to be with Timothy’s spirit; he wanted Timothy not only to do the right thing, but to do it in the right spirit. In the same way Paul exhorted the Galatians and those in the household of Philemon — “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Galatians 6:18, Philemon v. 25). |
| We need this reminder too, for although we may do what is right, if we do it in a wrong way or with a wrong attitude, it spoils what we are doing. We need to remember how the Lord Jesus walked while He was in this world, and seek to act as He did. The Lord Jesus sometimes had to speak very plainly to people, but He always spoke as the One who loved them, and cared about them. |
