2 Timothy 1:1-14 (NRSV)
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, Verse 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Verse 3I am grateful to God-whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did-when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Verse 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. Verse 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.
Verse 6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; Verse 7for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Verse 8Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, Verse 9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, Verse 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Verse 11For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, Verse 12and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Verse 13Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Verse 14Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Devotion
If this week’s psalm reminds us that there are many ways of describing a life of faith, today’s words of Paul remind me that there are also different seasons. Or maybe tides is a better image. High tide, low tide. I know that my own faith has been like that. That is why the word “rekindle” strikes such a resounding note in me. I can point to seasons when it was burning with bright fervor. But there have been other times when faith has not been extinguished, but was like a coal in the barbecue that is covered with ash. It looks dead, but is merely waiting for a breath to stir it back to life. Just like Paul was intercessor for Timothy, we all need others in our lives of faith who will be the means by which God sends that breath or wind of Spirit to rouse the gift of faith that is deep within us.
Prayer
Holy God, thank you for the generations of faithful who have come before us. Don’t allow the gift of faith to be diluted by the passing of the faith from one generation to the next. As you came with Spirit-fire on the day of Pentecost, come again as fire to rekindle our most precious gift: faith in your Son, our Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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