By John Lane
“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13).
The Apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy was likely written by Paul while in prison. This would have been during one of his final missionary journeys as he anticipated his own death. Paul uses this letter to encourage his young disciple Timothy to stand firm and encourages Timothy to come to him quickly.
We also have Paul’s interesting request to bring his cloak (prison and age were getting to him) and his scrolls, especially the parchments. While this particular Scripture passage probably doesn’t make it to anyone’s list of their favorite verses, it does give us a unique insight into Paul’s “way of life” — a “way of life” that entailed the daily practice of spiritual disciplines even when (or especially when) faced with hardship.
In 2 Timothy 3:14–15, Paul reminded Timothy that he knew all about Paul’s teaching and “my way of life.” He then challenged Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of (his own way of life) … how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
_
“Does your ‘way of life’ open your life up to the Lord’s grace or close off your life to the Lord’s grace?”
_
Preparing to Receive Grace?
This phrase “way of life” is shorthand for the spiritual disciplines: practices that serve to support the gift of God’s grace in our lives, actions that prepare our hearts to receive grace from the windows of heaven. This “way of life” has traditionally entailed: prayer, Scripture reading, fasting, Christian community among other disciplines.
Every obedient follower of the Lord in Scripture who made any type of difference practiced a “way of life.” In fact, you could argue that every single person has a “way of life.” The question then is does your “way of life” open your life up to the Lord’s grace or close off your life to the Lord’s grace?
Paul’s “scrolls, especially the parchments” were probably a combination of scriptural scrolls and blank parchments upon which he wrote his letters. So we have Paul setting us an example when, during the darkest of times, he continued practicing his “way of life” — reading Scripture, meditating on it, journaling (writing) letters in response, connecting with fellow believers and praying.
_
“Yet the windows of heaven are still open. God’s grace is still abundant.”
_
Netflix Binges or Spiritual Disciplines?
Compare this “way of life” with your own “way of life.” When I compare my daily practices of my phone use, social media consumption, Netflix binges and general laziness with Paul’s practice of spiritual disciplines, it makes me wonder how hungry I really am for the Lord’s presence, and how open I am to the Lord’s grace.
Yet the windows of heaven are still open. God’s grace is still abundant. May we reflect on our own “way of life” and open our lives to the Lord’s grace by these daily practices.
Prayer for Presence
Father, we thank You for this day, a new day of grace. We pray that our own “way of life” will open our hearts to your grace. Keep us close to you. Erase the distractions from our lives and help us to live lives of hunger for Your presence. See if there be any wicked ways in us and lead us into Your grace. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
+
John Lane, D.Min., is the lead pastor of The Arbor Church in Spring Arbor, Michigan, and a member of the Free Methodist Church USA Board of Administration. He previously served as the superintendent of the Wabash Conference and the New South Conference.
Great Writing + Discipleship Materials
