2 Timothy 1:1-14, October 2-8, Year C:

Several things in this passage merit comment, if not necessarily in a particularly systematic way. We see that Timothy was raised by devout women. They were definitely Jewish, although perhaps his mother or grandmother even came to know Christ. In any case, we clearly see the value and the potentially very significant influence of a godly upbringing for our children. Let us never forget this as we consider our families and the role of the church in the proper training and Christian education of children today. Paul reminds Timothy that we are not given a spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. He encourages Timothy to "stir up" the gift that is in him. This goes well with the gospel reading for this Sunday, Luke 17:5-10, in which Jesus is encouraging a quality of faith and obedience that was a real challenge to the disciples as they sought to understand their new ministry. Let us too take these challenges seriously. Timothy was young. His temperament may have been one that tended to be too cautious or too easily intimidated. He may have also had his share of physical ailments. He no doubt had many spiritual gifts; but the gift to which Paul seems to refer here is the gift of the ministry itself. Paulhad laid hands on Timothy and conferred this ministry, this responsibility, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now, he urges Timothy to trust God as he exercises this gift. Be brave and fearless in the Lord. Paul knows that he himself is but a weak and sinful vessel; but "I know whom I have believed." (In fact, we're going to sing that old gospel song Sunday.) We are persuaded that God is able to keep that which we have commited to Him. We are sometimes tempted to be ashamed of the gospel message. We see it abused by some, even within the church. We see it ridiculed by the secular media. We watch our churches struggle to do meaningful ministry or, in some cases, even to survive--and we wonder! But the gospel, though it be contained in weak vessels, is powerful truth. It is a mystery, but it is God's mystery! We need not, we dare not, be ashamed of a message that originates with the Father, is lived out in Jesus Christ His Son, and that is given life and breath by the Holy Spirit! Paul was reminding Timothy of his great potential and of the spiritual authority with which he had been blessed by virtue of the laying on of hands. Every Christian, whether ordained or commissioned in an official way for ministry, has been given a specific and wonderful calling. This is part of what we mean when we speak of the "priesthood of all believers." Our calling to service and ministry is not of our own making or choosing, but of God. The gift we have been given is irrevocable, but can become ineffective. We should live a life of discipline and self-control; but we must not doubt that we will be given the power to do what we are called to do. That is part of what it means to trust God. Be ware of trying to discern God's calling for someone else, or of assuming that someone else can discern God's calling for you. The advice and encouragement of others can be helpful, but probably cannot be determinative. Our minds must also be disciplined; and we must walk with intellectual integrity. There is inevitable conflict between the world and the Word. Paul knows that Timothy will face pressures from within and from without. He will be faced with temptation, opposition, and discouragement. Some will reject him because of his youth. Still, he is to put his trust in the truth of God, the grace of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. This passage should be a great encouragement to our youth, or to any new Christian; but it is also necessary for those of us who have been Christians all our lives, or who are involved in Christian ministry, to remember where we get our power and our message. Truly, we have been given a special gift.