2 Timothy 1:2-7
Paul was filling the role of a dad to young Timothy, we have
no knowledge about Timothy’s birth dad, but Paul tells us that Timothy was a
spiritual child and it is very clear that Paul was pouring his life into
him. In love and with great
encouragement, Paul is teaching Timothy to be responsible, first to God, and
then to all others. What if your
dad or some other spiritual man would have laid this kind of foundation in your
life, how would your relationship with them have been?
Beginning in verse two, “To
Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord.” In
1965 "What the World Needs Now Is Love" was a popular song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed
by Burt Bacharach. First recorded and made popular by Jackie DeSahannon, it was
a great song, but what the world needs is the Author of Love, none other than
Jesus Christ. And every child
needs a dad that makes obvious his love for God and his love for that
child. Many of you reading this
had such a dad, and as you grew in understanding of that love, it gave you
great confidence in living life.
Paul goes on to tell young Timothy that he, like his
ancestors, served God with a clear conscience, and then it seems not to fit the
moment when he tells Timothy, I’m constantly remembering you in my prayers,
night and day. It is believed that
this second letter to Timothy is also from Paul’s prison cell, but things have
changed and now he is in close confinement and many who once stood with Paul
are gone. So he is writing to
encourage and instruct Timothy, who is his son in the faith, and later we will
see that he is asking him to hurry to Rome, so that he might enjoy his
fellowship.
Verses 4-5 become very personal, “As
I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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.”
A Grandmother and mother, poured their life and faith into
young Timothy, a dad or granddad are not mentioned, and sad to say that our
culture is not that different, with the absence of a dad’s love or
encouragement in the spiritual life of their children. But what encouragement, to a young
person to have a Paul come into their life and remind them that they have a
history of faith in their family.
Paul has just begun in his admonishment, as he reminds him of the
spiritual gifts that God has given him and that for them to develop it will
require Timothy to use them. In
both letters Paul has told Timothy to take care of his spiritual and physical
self, and not to be timid in fulfilling his duties as a minister of the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
I’ve been blessed to have men who have come along side of me
and been encouragers, and because of these men, Jack Archer, Ken Ryan, Johnny
Anderson, Greg Hood, and John Davis, I’ve been encouraged to fan into flames
the gifts God has given me, and to be a 2 Timothy 2:2 man of Christ. Often these men have admonished me to
not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and often Paul did the same thing for
young Timothy. In verses 7-9, “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, who saved us and called
us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose
and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” A book could be written on
those verses, but look and ask the Holy Spirit to make clear that Paul was
telling Timothy that God is willing and wants to do it all for you, and in
suffering God will extend His power into your life. Dads and Granddads, some young Timothy in your life
needs you to come along side of him.
Form the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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