Bible Reading: Leviticus 22; Psalm 28-29; Ecclesiastes 5; 2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
What has fear kept you from doing? Sometimes fear is a good thing. Fear that keeps a child from playing in the street is a good thing. Fear that keeps you from doing what God has called you to do is not good! In this verse, we hear the apostle Paul encouraging Timothy and reminding him of the fact that he can live out of God's Spirit rather than out of human tendencies. The church had recognized the faith of Timothy and had recommended him to Paul.
Acts 16:1-2 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Timothy's mother and grandmother we devout followers of Christ and had led Timothy to faith in Jesus. According to Paul and the church their faith was evident to all.
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Now Paul was in prison and would be executed soon and Christians were being persecuted all over. Paul was writing to encourage Timothy to stay true to his ministry and preach the Word of God with boldness. These words are applicable to you and me today. It does not matter the state of affairs in our world, we are to be true to Jesus Christ and his gospel.
So the fear that you experience when you go to share the gospel with someone is not from God. God has given to us his Holy Spirit. With the empowering of the Spirit of God comes:
- Power – power to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8) and to face whatever difficulties come our way.
- Love – the fruit of the Spirit is love! (Galatians 5:22-23). The love of God overcomes any fear that we might experience because we realize that if we love people, we will tell them the truth!
- Sound mind – A mind that is able to think according to the mind of Christ. The Spirit of God helps us to think the way that God thinks rather than be 'scatter-brained' with fear.
If Timothy needed to be reminded of this, how much more do we? Do not give in to the spirit of fear that comes upon you. Get focused on God and his Word. Let the Holy Spirit fill you so that you can have the holy boldness to live for God rather than give in to fear.
In Christ,
Rody
