When you consider your last days on Earth, what comes to mind? What would you do during your last days? Would you travel? Visit with friends? Most people have a bucket list filled with places they want to go, people they want to see, and adventures they want to experience before they die; however, Paul had one thing in mind, Jesus Christ. Paul knew that his days were coming to an end. Instead of dwelling on the end, writing his greatest adventures, or reminiscing on the past, he decided to write a letter to a young pastor encouraging him to continue in his faith. He wanted to make sure the gospel would continue to spread even after he was gone.
“To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Timothy 1:2
Paul considered Timothy as a son to him. Timothy was a young pastor that Paul wanted to encourage and pass on his knowledge that the Lord had given him. As Christians, we should desire to disciple others. To disciple someone else simply means to teach them. Discipleship includes leading someone spiritually, setting a Christian example, and guiding them with God’s word in the path that the Lord directs.
As Paul continues his letter, he starts by thanking God for what he has done. Even his letter is a reminder that our prayers should always begin with thankfulness to the Lord. He continues to tell Timothy that he has always been in his prayers and remembers all that they had been through together. He then reminds Timothy of where his faith came from, his grandmother Eunice that set the example for her family. From then on, Paul challenges Timothy to stay strong in the faith, bold and without fear.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:3-7
Calling yourself a Christian and going to church is only the beginning in your walk with Christ. Paul challenges Timothy be bold. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul states, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” The spirit of timidity, fear, and shyness doesn’t come from the Lord. A lot of times, Christians fear sharing what God has done in their lives because they don’t know how people will react. Before I speak at events or share anything about God with a friend or stranger, I often wonder, “What will they say? Will they laugh at me? Will they judge me?” It’s then that I have to remind myself that those fears are not from God. The fear that you experience is an internal battle that your flesh is causing in your mind. The devil doesn’t want you to disciple others or share God’s word, he knows that fear can hold you back from doing what God has called you to do. Are you going to let your faith be lessened by your fears? Or will you let your faith overcome the fears inside your head?
In the next week, I want you to read the rest of 2 Timothy as though it was a letter written to you. Read it aloud as a source of encouragement and a reminder that your faith in the Lord can fight any battle that you are facing. Consider what you would write to a friend to guide them in their walk with Christ. How can you change your actions to set a Christ-like example for others?
You are more than the fears that your mind creates, you are a faithful, fearless, child of God.
” For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
May God Bless you and show you His grace every day!