The Christian Worker: Yes, it does take all that

“Fight the good fight of faith…” 1 Tim 6:12

On a trip to northern Africa many years ago, I joined a group of eager adventurers for a camel ride into the Sahara Desert. I was struck by how the camels looked. Not only were they much taller than I had imagined but many of them did not have the smooth hide I had seen in pictures and movies. Their bodies were scarred, their goofy faces looked tired, and their hooves were hardened by the burning sand. These were hard-working camels used to transport people and goods in and out of the desert day after day, and this was written on their bodies. Interestingly, the rugged beasts still looked incredibly beautiful and graceful as they stood tall against the orange dunes.

I thought about those camels recently as I was reading Paul’s letters to Timothy. The task of pastoring a growing church that was desperately in need of structure had been laid at Timothy’s feet, and Paul did not mince words—this would be a hard job for the timid young man. Paul encouraged him to emulate the farmer, soldier, and athlete as examples of an indefatigable work ethic, undistracted commitment, and discipline (2 Tim. 2:1-7).

He used many verbs to impress upon Timothy the effort required to do what he had been called to do— “endure,” “fight,” “flee evil,” “pursue righteousness,” “keep the faith,” “study,” “guard,” and so on. In other words, “Timothy, this is no stroll in the park; you have to put your back into it.”

The instructions included the development of both inward and outward attributes. Timothy had to maintain internal purity just as much as he had to study the Scriptures and teach sound doctrine; he had to cultivate love, patience, and wisdom just as much as he had to be good minister guiding his flock.  All this would require commitment and discipline.

Paul may have been speaking to Pastor Tim, but his exhortations apply to all Christians. Christians have the hard task of revealing God—his presence and attributes—to the world and leading people to him. To do it well, they must cooperate with the Holy Spirit, exercise discipline to stave off the influences of the enemy and “the flesh”, perform the tasks God gives with diligence and excellence, and remain just as committed in good and bad times. This is work.

But the idea of “work” or arduous effort related to Christian living is difficult for many Christians to embrace. Christians who pursue the kind of faith that refrains from activities others may find acceptable are often told “it doesn’t take all that” or “it’s all grace.” But, according to Paul, it does take all that. The grace that saves is the same grace that equips and empowers us to work. And like those camels, we stand tall in the heat and toil because we are built and equipped for it.

How seriously are you taking the work your faith requires?