2 Timothy 1:3-10
"I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."
So often we find ourselves looking through fractured glass into our lives. The enemy loves to see his attacks become cracks that don't allow us to see the world in the way God does. There is no better example than Timothy. In Paul's first letter, he lays out a big task for Timothy in Ephesus,
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm."I could easily see a young man, on possibly his first solo task, running across some tough moments. How easily would it have been to feel defeated and have those moments of conflict become fractures in his glass on which he views his situation. Paul must have understood because he knew what needed to be done. He started by reminding Timothy of his identity, not just in Christ, but also his testamony walking with Christ!
"and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."How good is it to have a friend there to recount all God has done in your life and sees who you are even when you don't, but Paul doesn't stop there. He reminds Timothy to fan the flames of the gift God gave him. Continue in study of the word, seeking revelation, and prayer by sharing a relationship with God. Remember not only the calling, but what fuels the calling!
Then, as if that wasn't enough, he beginnings to remind Timothy of what empowers him in this calling,
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."Wow!! What a power sentence! He reminds Timothy that he has no reason to fear because it was no longer apart of his identity in Christ. Then he lays out the three things God has given him to stand as a witness in this world.
- Power - As a believer, he has through the Holy Spirit the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, and many other miracles, signs, and wonders. He can be a healing force in his community showing the power of the Gospel!!
- Love - In a world void of Agape love - unconditional and able to cover a multitude of sins and wrongs. As he shares with his community, he shares a love that can break the chains of strongholds, bondages, and family devastaiton!
- Self-Discipline - God has made him a new creation able to live by His grace, joy, and peace. Those spiritual states are unshakable! When he stands in that place, God has renewed his mind to be able to stand in the face of disaster and chaos. His ability to make wise decisions and walk a righteous path makes him a force of stability in a shaken spiraling world!
"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."How would you feel if someone said come join me in suffering? But it is the truth! Jesus said (I paraphrase), "There going to hateyou because they hated me first so be ready for opposition!" But the greatest hope we have is in sharing in those sufferings with Christ for the Glory of God in our lives. When we stand in Power, Love, and Self-Discipline, and come out the other side ready for more......... that's when we know our life has become a testimony of God working through us. Continue on Brothers and Sisters. As Paul so perfectly stated:
2 Timothy 4:1-8
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
Selah
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