“Remember”

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6,7) 

The pressures of the world can easily take their toll on the faith of any disciple. Perhaps Paul detects that the resolve of his “son in the faith” is weakening. Timothy needs courage to face the rising flood of challenges due to false teachers and wavering disciples. 

A solution to a weakening faith is to “remember”. Paul reminded Timothy of his roots – the faith of his mother and grandmother, and the wisdom of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:15) Timothy must stir up the gift given to him. He is enjoined to rekindle or refuel the fire.

Paul reminds Timothy that he has been given the tools necessary to win the battle. These were attitudes of the heart that would aid Timothy in the middle of the fight.

Negatively, God had not given the “spirit of fear”. There is no place for cowards among spiritual leaders, or even among disciples. God specifically condemns the fearful.(Revelation 21:8) This detrimental attitude can silence us at times when we must proclaim God’s message, or entice us to comply with popular conduct.

Instead of fear, servants of Christ are fortified with power. God equips his children with the weapons that enable them to endure the persecution and reproaches. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

The spirit of love empowers his disciples to press on. Divine love will help make them sincere in their care for souls, tireless in labor, fearless in the midst of trials, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater cause. 

The spirit of self-control or sound judgment gives us a proper perspective. The child of God is guarded from the world’s solicitations by the discipline and wisdom of God. 

When we become prideful and self-dependent, we need to be reminded that without Christ we are nothing. When we are timid, we must be reminded of the courage of Christ. When distracted, we must remember we are just pilgrims in this world. When negligent, we must remember the responsibility is pressing, and the time is short.

By George Slover

 

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