Hunting for Tickles? Hum...Sounds Interesting...

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

-2 Timothy 4:1-5

Satisfaction

Literally, satisfaction is that which is felt to be owed or due to one, according to the Oxford American Dictionary. What I find curious about this word is that we actually think that we deserve something. We feel that some form of pleasure or ease is due to us.

Now, sad as it may sound, we are not due anything other than the fires of Hell. We seem to forget that even the fact that we are breathing is a magnificent gift from God. I love how Paul brings closure to this topic by reminding us that our purpose is to be an "evangelist," or a spreader of the good news. When we acknowledge this truth and live accordingly, we therein humble ourselves and realize how truly little we are before God. Notice that he places an interesting statement in between his edification of the believers. He does not say, do your part and they will listen. No, he eloquently describes them as searching for the tickle, i.e: satisfaction, of false truths.
I often observe this "tickle hunt" and am greatly saddened by it. Due to this, it is necessary that I fulfill my purpose and be a living example of what I know is the one infallible truth. If, by doing this task, I was able to awaken only one person to life, I would find true satisfaction: the satisfaction that comes from being welcomed into Heaven by a God who crowns me with a crown of righteousness and says, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." I want God to see the efficacious result of my life and be glorified. There is no greater act than to bring praise and glory to Him, let my life continually reflect that truth.

For His Glory,

Pete