2 Timothy 1:3-7

2 Timothy 1:3-7

"I give thanks to God, whom, like my forbears, I worship with a clean conscience, as I regularly remember you in my prayers night and day. I am reminded of your tears, and I long to see you, so that I might be filled with joy. I recall your sincere trust, the same trust that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice had first; and I am convinced that you too now have this trust. For this reason, I am reminding you to fan the flame of God's gift, which you received through the laying on of hands from me. For God gave us a Spirit who produces not timidity, but power, love and self-discipline."

What would you say to someone you loved if it were to be your final words for them? Would you encourage them, recall past memories, exhort them to righteous actions? In this second letter to Timothy, Paul's last letter, we see all of these things manifested in his written words; we see the heart of a great Apostle as he faces his last few weeks on earth. Paul begins the letter by reminding Timothy of the great promise of life that is attained through Christ. What consoling words for Timothy to receive from his dear friend, who wrote them while in prison! And what encouragement it can be to us today, as we read it hundreds of years later knowing that it has been passed down and preserved according to God's will, that we might receive as well the same exhortations as Timothy.

Paul's heart is a thankful one to God that overflows with prayer and understanding: "I give thatnks to God, whom, like my forbears, I worship with a clean conscience, as I regularly remember you in my prayers night and day." Even while suffering in chains Paul reflects on the goodness of God, and also prays constantly for those he loves. He points to faithful ones who have gone before him and draws upon sweet memories, of tears and family, to remind Timothy of the legacy and importance of faith: "I am reminded of your tears...I recall your sincere trust, the same trust that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice had first." Remembering these things makes Paul's heart ache with a longing to see his dear son, "...and I long to see you, so that I might be filled with joy."

Paul's heart is certainly seen in these few verses. Equally important is the command coming from Paul's heart. What is it he tells Timothy to do as he reminds him of his sincere trust? Should he simply be encouraged in his heart and leave it at that? Contrarily, Paul reminds Timothy to "fan the flame of God's gift"--the gift of faith; it is only by the Spirit, who gives power through love and self-discipline, that anyone can stir up their gift of faith. Reader, be encouraged that it is this same Spirit that Paul talks of who lives in you. How awesome to see that as God gives us the great gift of faith, He simultaneously gives us the very Spirit by which we can put this faith into action. Rather than shrink back in fear or timidity, we can, by the power of God's own Spirit, bear witness to His Son, endure suffering, live holy lives, and walk the path of righteousness. Later, Paul exhorts us to "keep safe the great treasure that has been untrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us" (2 Timothy 2:14).

In reading this, we are reminded of the great power that we have through Christ. We can follow Paul's admonishing and example by investing our hearts in prayer, as we allow the Spirit of God to transform our minds that we might fan the flame of our faith, which ultimately gives us the ability to fight with vigor the battle set before us.