Wrapped Up in the Gospel

Hello again!

Today we’re moving to 2 Timothy. – This is what God gave me today in His word:

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, 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, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. (2 Timothy 1:6-12)

Paul reminds us of several things in this passage: he remind Timothy (and by extension, us) to fan into flame the gift God has given him. He also reminds us that God has given us a spirit of power and love and self-control, and to not be ashamed of the Gospel or of those who preach it. Most importantly, he reminds us of the thing that made all of this possible: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is Godly admonishment “at it’s best”, if you will.

See, Paul is telling us to fan into flame whatever gift it is that God has bestowed us with, but he also reminds us that it’s Jesus who calls us to this “holy calling” of spreading the Gospel to others through the gifts we have been given. Likewise when he reminds us of the Spirit of power that we have been given, Paul quickly adds that we should, because we have this spirit, we shouldn’t be ashamed, of the Gospel. – Everything Paul says is wrapped up in Christ’s death and Resurrection, and that is what makes him such a powerful teacher. God wouldn’t let anything enter the Bible that wouldn’t help us in some form or another, and Paul’s Epistles are no different. They are here both to instruct us in how to live a holy and pleasing life to God, and how to correctly teach others to do so.

All that being said, it is also very important that we do make an effort to use the gifts we’ve been given (and by doing so “fan them into flame”), and to not be ashamed of the Gospel or of those that preach it. We should also strive for a faith like that of Paul’s: A faith which is convinced God will keep us safe until “that Day”.

You are Loved!

Joshua Cleveland