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(Nuggets from 2 Timothy 1:7)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Apostle Paul was admonishing young Timothy on having the right disposition of the mind and do away with FEAR.
Apostle Paul's message to Timothy was to give him reassurance and make him firm amidst the challenges he faced in his ministry.
Timothy was feeling afraid and discouraged due to (but not limited to) some of these reasons:
1). PERSECUTION AND OPPOSITION PREVALENT IN THE EARLY CHURCH:
The early church faced stiff opposition and the ones saddled with the responsibility of leading them faced hostility, persecution, and threats from both religious authorities and political powers.
This opposition led to the Martyrdom of some of them and Timothy, as a young leader in the church, may have been intimidated by some of these threats.
2). TIMOTHY WAS JUST A YOUTH AND INEXPERIENCED TOO:
Timothy was relatively young compared to other Apostles at the time of this epistle. Apostle Paul referred to Timothy as “his son in the faith.” (1 Timothy 1:2).
This was not just about Timothy being a proselyte or new convert, but because he was still a young adult, which suggests that Timothy lacked confidence because of his age and possibly limited experience.
3). RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE MINISTRY WERE OVERWHELMING:
Apostle Paul entrusted Timothy with important tasks like overseeing churches, correcting false teachings, and encouraging believers with the scriptures (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
Such responsibilities can be daunting, especially amid opposition and struggle.
4). TIMOTHY WAS UNDER PRESSURE TO LIVE UP TO APOSTLE PAUL'S EXPECTATIONS:
As a mentee of Apostle Paul, seeing the exploits and grace by which his mentor operated in his mission work, Timothy was under a lot of pressure to meet up with the high spiritual and leadership standards Paul set, which could lead to fear or self-doubt.
It was natural for Timothy to have felt this way and Apostle Paul noticed it and quickly sent a letter to him, encouraging him to brace up.
In verse 6, Apostle Paul told young Timothy:
"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
He exhorted Timothy to stir up the gift of God that was in him, as fire under the embers. The GIFTS that God had given him were to be utilized and not to remain latent.
The GIFTS needed to be stirred up and put to use to qualify him for the work of an EVANGELIST.
In the early church, these extraordinary GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT were conferred on Timothy (and others) by the laying of hands Apostle's hands (Peter, John and Paul).
By stirring up, Apostle Paul meant that Timothy needed to exercise them and increase them. The gifts he had needed to birth other gifts too.
"To him that hath shall be given," Matthew 25:29. He must take advantage of all opportunities at his disposal to use these gifts.
Paul knew that FEAR would be an OBSTACLE to Timothy that would prevent him from maximizing and harnessing the gifts, hence his admonition in verse 7.
"God hath not given us the spirit of fear,". It was FEAR that made the WICKED and SLOTHFUL servant to bury the talent his master gave him instead of trading with it.
Matthew 25:25.
It doesn't matter the dangers you meet on your way. Be bold and be of good courage, because like Timothy, God has given you the spirit of BOLDNESS.
You weren't called to be a coward, and the Holy Spirit does not accommodate any form of timidity.
It follows therefore that if you have the Holy Spirit in you, fear should have no place in your life.
God has given you the SPIRIT OF POWER, to face any challenge, difficulty or opposition on your way headlong, knowing that the Holy Spirit fortifies you against any form of reproach and persecution.
This POWER also strengthens you to resist satan's temptations, endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ, oppose false teachers, and to do the will and work of God.
God has given you the SPIRIT OF LOVE, empowering you to LOVE GOD, LOVE HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, and HIS CHURCH; this LOVE is the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit; and those who have it do not seek their own comfort or credit, but they do all to the GLORY OF GOD.
God has given you the SPIRIT OF A SOUND MIND, to always CONDUCT YOURSELF CIRCUMSPECTLY, BE SOBER, TEMPERATE, PURE IN HEART and MAINTAIN A HOLY LIFE every day.
IN ALL YOUR GETTING IN THIS LIFE, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOU FOR AN OPTIMAL AND VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST.
This is HOLINESS CHALLENGE
DAY 343 OF 365🔥
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