II Timothy 4:16 “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.”
Paul is warning Timothy and us that sometimes we may find ourselves in an apparent minority. The officials and notable people were viciously hostile toward him because of the Gospel Truth that he preached, yet he stood firm. When the hostilities became severe, even his own Brethren failed to support him for fear for their own lives and wellbeing. But Paul was not alone; for he explains, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” (II Timothy 4:17)! It is much the same with us in our day, there are times when the lovers of the Gospel Truth of Jesus Christ seem to be in the extreme minority; but, in truth, the precious lambs of God simply retreat from and shun trouble and controversy. However, as the God-called bold under-shepherds stand up and clearly declare, “Behold the Lamb of God”, (John 1:29,36), the “sheep” (John 10:27) will take courage and stand up too. Because the adversaries of Christ and Christianity are often so vicious, we are exhorted/commanded to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) and “that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day” (Ephesians 6:13). To “stand” is to never compromise the precious Gospel Truth of Jesus Christ our Lord! To “withstand” is to endure whatever “the devil” and his vile minions fling at us as we continue to “stand” firm. Each element of this “whole armour” is essential to our well-being in this present life. We learn of these elements by studiously reading the Word of God, going to the Lord’s Church, and actively listening to the Preaching of the Gospel and spending time together in Christian Fellowship.