Giving The Best Of Your Love
I have two young grandsons, and it is amazing how fast they are growing and learning. Realizing this, I feel an urgency to make sure they know God and develop a relationship with Him. In 2 Timothy 1:1–6; 3:14–16, Paul pointed to the firm foundation of faith that Timothy received since infancy from his grandmother and mother. Combined with Paul’s mentoring and the Holy Scriptures, Timothy was ready as a young man to succeed Paul and Pastor a church. I pray that we are preparing our loved ones to inherit the best thing we could give them… a relationship with God. Amen
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my dear son:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. (2 Timothy 1:1–5)
Paul began his letter to Timothy, his “dear son” in the ministry, with a salutation that referenced God’s will in his apostolic calling. This was a familiar opening in his epistles (see Rom. 1, 1 Cor. 1, 2 Cor. 1, Eph. 1, Col. 1, 1 Tim). Further, Paul acknowledged his calling from Jesus and his salvation. Grace, mercy and peace are all benefits God extends to us through our faith in Jesus. Paul’s love for Timothy as his son in the ministry was evident by his constant prayers and thanks for Timothy’s ministry, his concern for Timothy’s well being and his expressed desire to be filled with joy by seeing him again. Timothy’s faith was prominently in Paul’s mind as he wrote to him. He acknowledged the evidence of Timothy’s sincere faith which had first been in Timothy’s grandmother and mother, and now lived in him too.
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. (2 Timothy 1:6)
Paul urged Timothy to stir up (or fan the flame of) the gift of strong faith that God had given him for ministry. For this reason, Paul had laid hands upon Timothy and ordained him for ministerial work.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:14–16)
Paul exhorted Timothy to continue living what he had learned and believed since his infancy, through both his mother and grandmother, the trusted testimony of Paul and through the Holy Scriptures. Paul instructed Timothy that God’s word contains His wisdom that leads to faith in Jesus and our salvation. Paul concluded by telling Timothy that all Scripture is from God and can be used to teach, rebuke, correct and train us in righteousness. Thus Timothy was to use God’s word to strengthen and maintain his own faith, as well as for each aspect of his ministry to others.
Conclusion
Paul wrote this letter of encouragement and instruction to Timothy from a Roman prison. He placed a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of his young protege in the ministry. But Paul did so knowing of Timothy’s deep faith which he received through his grandmother and mother, his prior training under Paul, and his ability to use the Holy Scriptures for effectively ministering to a Church. We set a great foundational legacy when we pass our faith on to our children and grandchildren. They learn by witnessing our faith in God daily. It shapes their lives and allows them to have great impact for God’s kingdom. Lois, Eunice and Paul gave Timothy the firm foundation to deal with the vicissitudes of his own life and to effectively minister to God’s people. What legacy have you poured into your children, grandchildren and others you have influence over? Legacy is not what you leave for the people you love, it’s what you leave in the people you love! Give them the best of your love…a relationship with God!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
