A car shifted in neutral will either go nowhere or it will go wherever its environment dictates—on a hill, it would speed out of control.
As human beings, if we are not watchful, we can live our lives in neutral. There is no intentionality, there is no pursuit or drive and likewise the only movement that happens is a direct result of our environment.
For the Christian this must not be so.
In 2 Timothy 2, the apostle Paul continues his farewell address to his spiritual son, Timothy, and gives instruction for what the Christian life should look like specifically for those in leadership.
However, I do not believe that 2 Timothy 2 is reserved exclusively for those in leadership positions and much of it can and should apply to the rest of those who name the name of Christ.
The apostle begins by calling Timothy to strength, but a strength that is founded in the grace of God (2 Tim. 2:1).
The Christian life was never advertised as being easy. Besides our own sinful flesh, we battle against a world system filled with adherents who have rejected God and a spiritual adversary of our souls who ensnares those who do not believe.
The Christian therefore must be strong, they must be diligent in their pursuits, and they must not go through life lackadaisically, all of this is rooted in God’s grace.
The apostle likens it to being a soldier for the Lord Jesus (2 Tim. 2:3) specifically a soldier whose mission it is to please their enlisting officer (2 Tim. 2:4).
Paul also uses metaphors of athletes who are required to compete according to the rules, and a hardworking farmer who gets the first share of his crops (2 Tim. 2:5-6).
These are all things that require effort! Soldiers, athletes, and farmers are all logical contrasts of the sluggard, the famous character living in neutral from the Proverbs.
The apostle calls Timothy to entrust the truth of the gospel to faithful men who will be willing to teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2) and to likewise devote himself to its study that he might rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
Then, beyond ministry readiness, the apostle urges Timothy to personal readiness by purging himself from the dishonorable:
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).
There ought to be a flight from youthful passions and instead a pursuit of godly virtues such as righteousness, faith, love, and peace (2 Tim. 2:22).
Now, while not every Christian is in a position of leadership where they will be entrusting gospel truth to next generations of leaders, the basic pursuits of this chapter are surely applicable to all.
If we are soldiers in God’s army with Christ Jesus as our commander-in-chief, we should be diligent in our readiness to be used by Him.
We should be diligent in the study of His Word, ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us (see 1 Pet. 3:15). We can and should then give answers with gentleness, knowing that by the grace of God we might help others escape the snare of the devil (2 Tim. 2:26). Yet, this is only possible if we know God’s Word.
We can be diligent in our pursuit of Christian virtues rather than worldly passions.
We can be a vessel of honor that is useful for our master and ready for every good work.
If God were to call on us, would we be ready?
If the battle brought us to the frontlines, would we be ready?
If God granted us opportunity to impact others with the hope of the gospel, would we be ready?
We might not all be in traditional “ministry” but that does not mean that God is not planning to use us. So then let us not live in neutral.
Such an important question. Are we ready? It is surprising how many long time church goers, especially older men who now have influence over young men, are unable to articulate the Gospel. It would be easy to blame them, but really it represents a deeper more systemic shortfall.