“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time to show us his grace through Jesus Christ. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death; and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Good News.” 2 Timothy 1:5-11 (NLT)
At the time of Timothy’s ordination, he had received special gifts of the Holy Spirit to enable him to serve the church {see 1 Timothy 4:14}. He didn’t need a new gifting. He needed to persevere, in courage and self-discipline to hang onto the truth and to use them, thereby ‘fanning into flames the spiritual gift God had given him.’ If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him the power he needed.
When we utilize the gifting God has given us, we will find that God gives us the power needed to accomplish whatever task He has given us…God has given all Christians gifts to use in building up the body of Christ…When we allow people to intimidate us, we neutralize our effectiveness for God. Paul promises Timothy and us, that God would give the needed strength and courage. Don’t ever be ashamed to testify of our personal faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus already broke the power of death with His love and resurrection. What we must do is believe in Him and accept His offer of love and life eternal.
Paul also affirmed his confidence in God’s protection. This was not a claim to strong faith; rather, it was of a love and trust in one so powerful that even a weak faith was sufficient.” (From the NLT Study Bible.)
The Old Testament is also a picture of reality in the New. Aren’t you glad for mothers and grandmothers in church? I pray that they stir something up in me.’ Let’s look at 2 Kings 4:38-41 (KJV).
Remember what it’s like to set up a big, seasoned cast-iron pot of chili beans? Beans, and if it goes, peas, corn, cucumbers? A person must stand over and stir it up or it will be burnt on the bottom and grease will form on the top. Don’t settle for a little ‘almost healed, a little bit of healing’. Food reminds us of mothers and grandmothers who blessed us with food and love.
When was the last time God delivered you? The Word in us is stirred and ‘we are blessed in the country…’ I live to brush my teeth, but if I don’t do it, no one will sit next to me. It can mean a sacrifice. Stir yourself up by prayer and fasting, going to church.
Football pros have pep talks because they don’t want to get pummeled—Baseball, too. Get up and go to church–there’s blessing. The enemy is wanting to pummel you—sometimes every day—need a day off? Verse 6 gives us the answer—a gift.
Bring it and give it. Don’t get excited—it will happen before you know it. There will be joy, hope, trust that comes with the gifts. There are nine gifts—the Fruit of the Spirit are available. Stir up that Love—stir up the Peace that is on the inside.
Struggle stirs something up in you. Let God bless you because He has called us. “A Holy Calling,” Jesus says just stir it up on purpose and in Grace. Don’t forget to carry your ‘stirring-spoon’ with you.
The Faith Commentary is currently provided by Cherokee Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 363, Cherokee, N.C. 28719 (Reverend Timothy L. Melton, Pastor of the church). All organized houses of worship are welcome to submit commentary for this column. Portions of this commentary were transcribed by Myra Colgate from a sermon by Pastor Melton.
