STANDING ALONE
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(By Pastor Larry Burkholder)
2 Timothy 4:14-18
Have you ever played in a "pick-up" ball game where two people choose players to play on their team. You hope, maybe pray, that you are not the last to be chosen. Two of you are left. The other person gets chosen and there you are "standing alone." And the team captain says something as: "All right, come on." as he motions to you with a bit of discomfort or discontent in his voice. And then to make things worse, you get put out in right field or left field as most of the 'hit" balls might not reach your area of the field . . . after all they really don't want you trying to catch the ball and throw it into the infield because your arm is not strong enough to get it to the proper base after the catch or your fielding skills lack a lot and they can’t trust you to catch the ball. So, there you are "standing alone" in the field position where hopefully relatively few balls are hit your direction. That is one definition of "standing alone."
However, it is a different "standing alone" that we will study for a few minutes. This "standing alone" has to do with because of who you are in Christ. You are forced to "stand alone" as there is no one around your work area, neighborhood, or city council who has your convictions about certain things because you are a Christian. This "standing alone" is what we will study for a few minutes.
We need to understand, if we do not already, that the world around us will view us with contempt when we stand for the Lord and do our work in obedience to God's Word.
We need to make sure we do not put our guard down when this occurs and begin to make compromises and thus violate living according to Ged's Word.
You have probably already noticed this, as Christians we've nothing in common with the worldlings around us and/or their practices. They will follow fleshly beliefs, behave according to their fleshly desires, wickedness, drives their passions, and they really want nothing to do with us if it is at all possible. 1 Peter 4:4 tells us: "wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:" Back up in 1 Peter 4:3, Peter tells us that the way they are living is the same way we used to live; and now they can’t understand how it is that we no longer can live this way as mentioned in 4:8. And 1 Peter 4:5 informs us that "Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." We had better "stand alone" now as we will "stand alone" before Him at the judgment seat of Christ.
Now, getting back to the leading text of 2 Timothy 4:14-18, we read of Paul "standing alone" in Rome and in prison. 2 Timothy is what is believed to be the last epistle written by Paul before his execution. Since that is the case, it stands to reason, humanly speaking, Paul could have used friends to stand with him. Life in ministry can become discouraging. Quite often this leads to loneliness when we "stand alone."
Daniel is another splendid example of what the world did to him as he stood alone in Daniel 6. Our world dismisses us and gives no heed to us or our convictions. And if we "cave in" to their wishes then our standard or conviction of how to live, really holds "no water" to the worldling. They just think of us as one of them. No need whatsoever to "stand alone" now!
Shame to the Christian who gives in to the temptations of the flesh and the world instead of resisting as did both Daniel and Paul. The reason so many "Christians" do this is they desire to avoid the "lion’s den" and the "prison cell". Consequently, they live lives unworthy of the name of Christ. The reason is jealousy, pride, and selfishness are the list of their priorities.
The following is a quote from a Bible commentator and teacher by the name of Gary D. Freel. He writes: "Like all relationships, true spiritual fellowship requires work on the part of everyone involved; it takes an effort to maintain companionship and harmony within the church (Ephesians 4:3). Working together for the cause of Christ is not easy, nor does humble deference come naturally. Yet, "preferring one another" in love is essential in order for the body of Christ to be what God desires (Romans 12:10; Ephesians 2:14-22)."
It is a shame that often people are found "standing alone" in their local church because they have spiritual, biblical convictions to stand for the Lord and the remaining local body of believers do not. But if we truly work at Ephesians 4:3, no one will be found "standing alone."
So far we have two people in our study today "standing alone." One because he is in prison where there are no believers. Remember, he is imprisoned because he is dedicated to preaching the Gospel "to every creature" (Mark 16:15). This is a. purposeful "standing alone" which ought to be commended!
What kept Paul going was the knowledge of the fact that he Was living out the will of God for his life for the glory of God.
Often crisis situations evaluate for us who is and who is not a friend. Those who tell us they are our friends often are found bowing out or bailing out on us in a difficult time just when we need them most.
"Just when I need Him most, just when I need Him most, Jesus is near to comfort and cheer, just when I need Him most." reads the chorus of one old hymn of the faith.
Yes, whether we are "standing alone", as was Paul at Rome or as a dedicated Christian of any given local church, we always have our Lord! Hallelujah! He is always there and never leaves us. How encouraging it is to have human allies, co-laborers who are eager and willing to help us by standing with us to see to it that the work of the ministry is accomplished for the glory of our Lord.
Are you feeling as though you are standing alone in your local church as I know some who have? Are you standing alone eating lunch out in your car due to the fact that there is no fellowship with your co-workers in in the lunch area? Remember: We are never "standing alone." "… Jesus is near to comfort and cheer, just when I need Him most."
"Not withstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully know, and that all Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver m from evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timoth 4:17,18)
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