Burning brightly for God

2 Timothy 1:1-7

¹ This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.

² I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

³ Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.

⁵ I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. ⁶ This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Easy to skim over verse 1 isn’t it? But this is a powerful statement of identity by Paul. He is an apostle as he walks in the will of God. It is God’s plan that he is an apostle. Even as he is under arrest again, that is who he is. And he lives in the truth of the promise of eternal life through Jesus. This is at the core of his being.

It is confronting, this single focus, this life’s goal and meaning. What do I stand for? What is my focus?

This is the teacher who writes to his fellow worker and leader, Timothy. Like many times in these two letters, he again encourages Timothy to not be timid, but to be bold.

Why is it so crucial to Paul that Timothy is bold, is using his gifts to his full potential? I think it is because God does not want mediocracy, does not want our gifts lying idle, and knows that as we live as Christians we will be challenged. The Christian life will be full of challenges, because we have been called to be light to a dark world, just like Jesus, the true light. As our lives count for God, we will be challenged.

So, God has given us his Holy Spirit who, as he dwells in our hearts brings 3 things to make all the difference –

• Power
• Love
• Self-discipline.

We have all his power supporting us, power to stand firm, power to be compassionate, to show love.

Love which comes from a servant heart, from an obedient heart, demonstrated by the sacrificial love shown by Jesus.

Self-discipline – not a mind full of fear, but a mind which is calm, in control because it rests in the certainty of the love and faithfulness of God.

I want my life to count for God. I have to actively stir up the dimming fire of my gifts and obedience so I will shine brightly against the dark.

Dear God and Father, thank you for not leaving me alone to struggle through my life following you. You have empowered me to stand firm, to love and to have a calm mind, calmed by your Spirit and my certain knowledge of eternal life in you. You are wonderful to me. Amen

Written by Claire Moore

Have a look at this excellent Bible Project overview of 2 Timothy.