Have you ever let fear stop you from doing something that you wanted to do, or something that you knew that you should be doing? Maybe you had a fear of failure, or that you were not smart or capable enough to accomplish the task. Perhaps you were afraid of criticism and other people’s comments and snide remarks. Or maybe there was even a fear of physical attacks and assault for what you would do, perhaps even a risk of death. These might seem like reasonable fears, and as we look into our Scripture today from Paul’s second letter to his fellow co-worker in the Lord, Timothy, we see that the young man Timothy also had some fears. Let’s see what Paul said to instruct him.
As our Scripture opens, Paul urged Timothy to not let the spiritual gifts the Lord had given to him languish unused (vs. 6). As believers, each one of us has one or more spiritual gifts or abilities that the Lord endowed us with when we were saved. These spiritual abilities are to be used for the building up and advancement of His kingdom, and to be of benefit to His body of believers. However, at this time it seems as though Timothy was reluctant to use his gifts.
Paul had left Timothy to help lead the church in Ephesus when he, Paul, moved on in his missionary journeys, and eventually was thrown into prison in Rome. Timothy was a young man, and quite possibly a rather shy and quiet man. It seems that there were those in the church at Ephesus that were giving Timothy a difficult time due to his youth. He might also have had a fear of persecution from the authorities, as Paul and others had been arrested and ill-treated because of the Faith. The Church throughout the Empire also faced strong opposition from Jewish religious leaders. For a young and timid man, these were things that brought on fear, and a reluctance to step up and lead in the church in Ephesus.
Paul instructed Timothy, though, that this fear did not come from God, for He has given us power, love, and a strong and disciplined mind (vs. 7). If Timothy stepped out boldly in faith, and proclaimed the Gospel, the Holy Spirit would go with him, and give him power. When we use the gifts God has given us, He will give us the power we need. If we are intimidated in our work for the Lord, we lose our effectiveness for Him.
We should, though, have godly and wise caution in some circumstances that we may face, including when we are witnessing and working for the Lord, but not a godless fear. Fear does not come from God. He has given us all of the spiritual resources we need for every trial and threat we may ever face.
Paul urged Timothy to never be ashamed of witnessing for the Lord and His testimony (vs. 8). He reminded Timothy that God would give him the strength he needed, and if the time ever came when he would have to suffer for the Lord, God would give Timothy all he needed for that moment. Instead of being ashamed of the Faith, we must fearlessly show before the world that our hope is in the Lord, in His Word, and its promises.
Paul had no fear of persecution or death from preaching the Gospel (vs. 12). He knew God had sealed his future glory and blessings. He had total assurance of his salvation, and so should we. Each experience that Paul had had in his life so far had shown him that God was Someone he could trust and rely on. His life was like climbing a mountain, and each trial was like reaching another summit, from which he could look back and see the panorama of God’s love and trustworthiness, faithfulness in the One to whom Paul had committed his soul.
The Apostle instructed Timothy, and us as well, to guard the spiritual treasure that God has given us (vs. 14). If we take into our minds doubt and unbelief, that will stunt our spiritual growth. Instead, we need to feed our spirit with things of the Lord, like being in His Word and in prayer.
Remember what the Lord God teaches us here, that if things look bleak in your life, give your situation to Jesus. He will guard your faith, and will safely preserve all you have entrusted to Him until when He returns.
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