Day 632: When faith faces fears - 2 Timothy 1 vs 1 - 8

1-2 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3-4 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you  constantly in my prayers night and day.  As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.  6 For this reason I remind you  to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7-8 for God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:1-8 (English Standard Version)

This is a very warm and personal letter which the apostle Paul wrote to his dear friend Timothy. We see from vs 4-5 that Timothy had shed tears at their parting when he had last seen Paul. Now Timothy was also aware that Paul was probably going to be put to death because of his preaching of Jesus Christ as Lord. What was Paul's concern, and longing for Timothy in vs 6-8?

He didn't want Timothy to lose heart because of the fate that he, Paul, was facing, and he didn't want Timothy to become ashamed of the wonderful gospel message. It seems that when Timothy had been saved Paul had 'laid hands' upon the young man, and the Holy Spirit had given Timothy some special ability to use for the benefit of the Church and the glory of Christ. (vs 6) But what does Paul say is an important part of the Holy Spirit's working in a believer's life? (vs 7-8)

The Holy Spirit is able to help believers overcome understandable fears, because He gives them strength to act with God's love, and to be in control of their emotions. It's through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling that our fears won't get the better of us. The fact that Paul wrote these words suggests he suspected that Timothy was feeling apprehensive about the future. We can think too of Jesus' words to Christians at Smyrna when He said: “Don't fear what you are about to suffer. The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested. For ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

What else did Paul remind Timothy of so as to encourage him at this time? (vs 5)

Paul recalled the sincerity he had seen in the faith Timothy had shown towards Christ. And not only had Timothy's faith been genuine and sincere, Paul had seen similar sincerity of faith in Timothy's mother and grandmother! Sometimes when someone’s faith is facing a crisis it can help to take them back to their first days of responding to the gospel when faith had burned so brightly. We also see here the real advantage of having a parent or grandparent who had sincere faith in God. If that was our privilege let us be grateful to the Lord. But if we are the first Christians in our family, let us make every effort to live the sort of faith that will touch their lives, especially if we have children of our own.

In Paul's first letter to Timothy he says in one place: “Stop drinking only water. Take a little wine to help your stomach trouble and the other illnesses you always have.” (1 Timothy 5:23) I've often wondered if Timothy was on the timid side, perhaps even a little nervous and prone to tummy upsets. He wouldn't be alone. Few of us are courageous by nature. Bad news or threatening situations can cause us fear. That's when our faith needs to take a firmer hold of Jesus' words when He said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I don't give to you as the world gives. Don't let your hearts be troubled and don't be afraid.” He also said that “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things - and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26-27)