cancer

That's the title of John Piper's most recent article, written on the eve of his surgery.Here are his ten points:
You will waste your cancer if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.
You will waste your cancer if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.
You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.
You will waste your cancer if you think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
You will waste your cancer if you spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.
You will waste your cancer if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.
You will waste your cancer if you grieve as those who have no hope.
You will waste your cancer if you treat sin as casually as before.
You will waste your cancer if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

Nero vs Paul and the truth

In A.D. 64, a fire broke out in Rome. It raged for six days and seven nights, totally destroying a great part of the city. Nero falsely charged the Christians for the blaze and punished them with, in Tacitus’ words, “the most exquisite tortures,” including being nailed to crosses and set ablaze to serve as torch-lights for Nero’s gardens.

This was the man who, that same year, held the Apostle Paul captive in chains in one of his dungeons.

I’ve seen pictures of this dungeon, a cistern hewn out of solid rock. A trap door in the ceiling was the only way in or out. A small rock ledge next to one wall just above ground level was the only break in the even hardness of the stone floor. It was the one place a doomed prisoner, lying on the cold stone, could prop himself up and write.

On this lonely ledge Paul penned his second letter to Timothy. It was his final epistle, and he knew it. Days later Nero’s wrath—and his ax—fell on the apostle.

These are Paul’s final words, his “swan song.” His writing is vigorous, intense as he passes the spiritual baton to the next generation. The letter bristles with words of urgency, warning, admonition, and exhortation:

“Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.” (1:6)

“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (1:13)

“Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2:1)

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2:2)

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2:3)

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2:15)

“Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.” (3:1)

“I solemnly charge you…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (4:1-2)

“Be sober in all things, endure hardship…fulfill your ministry.” (4:5)

One sentence early on, though, captures the beat of Paul’s heart resounding throughout the entire letter: “Guard the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (1:14).

I can think of no better book for this age then this final charge to Timothy by Paul. Every line speaks to the church in the 21st century.

How to end a conversation

There are several words and phrases that I think we should voluntarily ban from discussion and dialog. I hear them often, and they seem to me to be ways of feigning an argument when there is no substance, devices to avoid facing the consequences of a good argument. Rather than furthering a dialog, they shut it down and actually mischaracterise the other's statements very uncharitably. Here they are:

labeling a criticism as an "attack"
dismissing disapproval as "bashing"
mistaking a moral argument for a legal one and insisting that "people have a right to do what they want"
avoiding making a substantive response by stating, "Well, that's your opinion."
mistaking a moral claim for a preference claim: Well, I wouldn't want to have an abortion.
That works with vegetables, not morals: Well, I wouldn't eat beetroot.

These are phrases unworthy of a good dialog where both people should make a good case and acknowledge when one is made. Be on the lookout for them, and examine your own rhetoric for these tricks of the tongue.