Our New Testament reading for this week takes us into the book of II Timothy, which we will look at each week throughout the month of October. Scripture contains two letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege, Timothy. This second letter was written while Paul was in prison, shortly before he would be executed for his faith in the Lord Jesus. Knowing that he would likely never see Timothy again, Paul gave him some godly guidance and encouragement.
Paul began this letter like he did most letters, either to various churches or to other people, with affirming his divine, apostolic calling (vs. 1). He then proceeded to bless Timothy with the blessing that he also frequently gave to other churches, that of grace, mercy, and peace (vs 2). Grace - something that God gives us that we do not deserve, all of the riches of Christ, including that of salvation. Mercy - God withholding from us the punishment that we do deserve. Peace - a gift from God that is an inner tranquility that surpasses human understanding, even in the middle of difficult circumstances.
Paul stated that he served God with a pure conscience (vs. 3). He was not trying to imply that he felt he never sinned. He knew that he, like all of us, sinned every day. However, he made sure that when he became aware of any sins, he took care of them by confessing and repenting of them with God right away. He did not let sins pile up in his conscience. At any given time, Paul knew that his conscience before God would be pure. We, too, should never let sins pile up in our conscience, but instead confess to God every day, maybe several times a day, so that we can have a pure conscience.
The Apostle also reminded Timothy of his godly heritage (vs. 5). Both his grandmother and mother were believers, and as a young boy they had imparted godly teaching to him. Be thankful to the Lord if you, too, have a godly heritage, and we all need to be sure that we are passing on a similar godly heritage to our children and grandchildren, just like Lois and Eunice.
God has given to every believer at least one spiritual gift (vs. 6). Paul encouraged Timothy to stir up the gift that God had given him. The Greek word that Paul used for “stir up” is “anazopyreo” which implies to kindle or to be fanning into a flame. If you’ve ever started a fire in a fireplace or a camp fire, you know that the tiny flame you start with will need to be fanned into a bigger flame, to get the full fire going. Paul didn’t want the gift that God had blessed Timothy with to go out like a tiny spark, but instead to be fanned into a full flame. Like Timothy we need to keep our spiritual gifts stirred up into a full flame, too.
Timothy was a fairly young man, certainly under the age of forty, when Paul wrote this letter to him. He was said to have been a more reserved and timid man, certainly not of an extroverted nature. It is even possible that he might have had periodic anxiety. Paul gave Timothy some words of encouragement in vs. 7. He reminded the young man that fear is not from God. Instead, He gives us power or spiritual boldness, love shown in selfless service to others, and a sound mind or disciplined thinking. God doesn’t want us to live with ongoing anxiety. Worry can become deeply ingrained in the way we think. Anxiety takes our eyes off our omnipotent, loving heavenly Father, and focuses our attention on our circumstances. These words of Paul are especially encouraging when we face opposition to our work for the Lord, or when we get discouraged.
When opposition comes, and it will as we serve the Lord, Paul encouraged Timothy to not shrink back in shame when he might face suffering (vs. 8). Paul was not ashamed of anything he had suffered, and was suffering now as he sat in a wretched prison cell. He had trust and faith in God (vs. 12). Paul had a deep and strong relationship with the Lord Jesus, not just merely intellectual knowledge of doctrine, but a personal relationship. He had committed his life to Him, and knew, truly believed, that God would keep him until the day that he would see Jesus face to face.
Paul encouraged Timothy to cling to “sound words” or doctrinal purity, protecting the Gospel message from false doctrines and heresies that were already creeping into the Church (vs 13-14). We, too, need to be careful that the Gospel message we believe in is pure, and not corrupted by any of the myriads of false teachings that are in the world today.
As we close, let’s be sure that we aren’t letting our spiritual gifts lie dormant in us. Rekindle them in service to the Lord Jesus. Let’s also be sure that we are investing in the next generation with our children and grandchildren, or any other young person we have more than a passing contact with. Speak boldly for Jesus, even when it costs you, and know that you can trust God with your future. He is faithful to keep what you commit to Him.
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