Where are you now?
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14
1) Verse 1 makes clear that the Apostle Paul knows where he is: he is called and sent (an apostle is ‘someone who is sent’) by the will of God (cf 2 Cor 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:1). Interestingly the first verse of 1 Timothy has the phrase ‘by the command of God.’ It’s like putting together the two ideas: God told me, and I obeyed. Very often when we hear someone giving their testimony, those same ideas appear. And through the Scriptures we see that obedience to God’s call, e.g. Abraham (Genesis 12: 1,4) ; Ananias (Acts 9: 10-17); and supremely Jesus (John 6:38 I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me). The theme of ‘sending’ is also found through the Bible. Read Isaiah 61:1, Jeremiah 1:7.
And when we are sent, we need to be sure we are declaring God’s message for now. Paul Yonggi Cho, the man at the heart of the Christian outpouring in South Korea, would sometimes stay up all night until he heard God’s ‘rhema’ words for his preaching. Every preacher, every friend of Jesus, needs to have that certainty of being God’s person, of speaking God’s words day by day. Read Isaiah 58 and ask the Holy Spirit to highlight the verses that for you are most important today.
Reflect: WHERE ARE YOU NOW? Are you sure you are where and what God wants you to be?
2) Verse 8 speaks of the power of God. Compare verse 7 : God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline. When you or I are given an opportunity to talk about our faith and our love for the Lord Jesus, we won’t be ashamed or embarrassed. A friend of mine told me of an occasion when he was waiting around in Belfast airport, and he felt a sudden pain in his ankle. He looked down and saw a young lad; he asked him, ‘Did you do that?’ The boy replied, ‘To be sure, I’m kicking all the English.’ ‘But how did you know I’m English?’ my friend asked. Back came the answer: ‘To be sure, I’m taking no chances: I’m kicking everyone.’ Not ashamed, no timidity: how does that compare with your/my readiness to testify about our Lord? Verse 12 expresses beautifully Paul’s confidence in his Lord. I invite you to savour these words, roll them round in your heart, suck all the sweetness from them like a Polo mint : I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
‘Remember, power is for a purpose. Whenever the power of God is released in the life of an individual or church, it is for the dual purpose of strengthening those who believe and reaching out to those who do not.’ (Steve Harper: Prayer Ministry in the Local Church p.13)
Reflect: WHERE ARE YOU NOW? Are you sure you have received that power from on high, taking away your fear and timidity? Take a moment to open your hands and ask for the gift of God’s spirit of power: expect to receive it, and thank Him now for His gift.
3) Verse 9 speaks of God’s grace. We become part of God’s family, not because of what we have done, not because of our efforts, but because of His grace ‘given us in Christ Jesus.’ Someone has defined grace as ‘an undeserved and unearned gift from the Father’s hand.’ You probably know the mnemonic that explains ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.’ God through Jesus Christ has ‘saved us and called us to a holy life,’ and because of that, Paul preaches and teaches the Good News of salvation.
Read 2 Cor 4:15 where Paul tells the Corinthians that ‘All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.’ When you and I sense that deep gratitude for the riches of God’s grace, there really is a feeling of overflowing joy - because of what Jesus has done for us.
Let’s round off this Time with the Bible using Charles Wesley’s wonderful hymn as a celebration and thanksgiving and a re-commitment.
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise! The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace.
Jesus, the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease.
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life and health and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
Hear Him, you deaf; His praise, you dumb, Your loosened tongues employ.
You blind, behold your Saviour come,
And leap, you lame, for joy.
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of your name.
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
