2 Timothy 1.6-7
“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 love, power, and a sound mind.”
As I have studied and thought deeply about this passage, I am reminded of something G.K. Chesterton wrote: “Jesus promised his disciples three things—that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble.”
The apostle Paul is a great example of that truth.
In AD 66, while imprisoned in the Mamertine prison in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote the epistle of 2 Timothy to his young protege, who was the pastor of the church at Ephesus. The year was 66 AD, and Nero—a man both crazy and corrupt—was the ruler of the Roman Empire. Paul knew that his days were short and his death was imminent. Later that very year Nero would order Paul’s execution by beheading.
The apostle Paul was a follower of Jesus who was completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble. He wanted Timothy to be the same way.
Timothy was facing a very difficult and challenging situation in the city of Ephesus, and his courage was beginning to decline. In this epistle, therefore, Paul encourages Timothy to “fan the flame” of the gifts that God had given him. Paul’s message was, “The Spirit of God resides within you. The Lord has given you gifts, so don’t neglect them. Don’t let the fire fade! Stir up the flame.”
Paul was admonishing Timothy to rekindle his God-given courage to act with bold confidence. He was telling him: “Don’t let the situation around you diminish the fire within you.”
In verse 7 Paul gives Timothy further encouragement: “…for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.” What an incredibly important message for the 21st century followers of Jesus. When fear rises up within you, it is not from God.
What God has given you is love, power, and a sound mind. When you operate in the love, power, and mental strength of the Lord, you are able to do three things:
- See with clarity.
- Choose with wisdom.
- Act with courage.
Fear, on the other hand, doesn’t see clearly, it doesn’t choose wisely, and it definitely doesn’t act with courage. When we are confronted with difficult situations and fail to trust Jesus, we get hijacked by fear and anxiety, which then distorts our perspective and diminishes our courage. And because fear is tethered to feelings, it gives in and gives up much too easily.
God’s love says: Be confident and bold. I have given you love, power, and a sound mind … so act on it!
The love of God enables us to see, choose, and act in the midst of the difficulties and challenges of a broken world. It was God’s love that sent Jesus into the world, and it is God’s love that sends us into the world. The Lord knows the challenges we face and the fears that confront us. The Lord also knows that his love will sustain us, and that the fullness of his love casts out fear.
Remember: When fear rises up within you, it is not from God.
