As Paul the
apostle wrote his final epistle to Timothy he remembered the
“unfeigned faith” that was in Timothy which was “first
in” his “grandmother Lois” and in his “mother
Eunice”. In chapter one and verse six of his letter, Paul
challenged Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” which was
in him where we read:
Wherefore
I put you in remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is
in you by the putting on of my hands.
The verse begins,
“Wherefore I put you in remembrance
that you stir up the gift of God,...” Paul
began this verse with the word, “Wherefore”
is a conclusion word which means “because of, on account or since
this” and when we see it in the Bible we should always look at the
previous verse or verses for the reason this conclusion is being
made. In this case because there was generational “unfeigned
faith”
passed down from his grandmother and mother, so Paul wrote the Greek
phrase, “anamimnēskō se
anamimnēskō which
in English is “I put you in
remembrance” or
“remind, admonish, call to weigh well and consider” “that
you stir up”
or “kindle, inflame, with strength and zeal” “the
gift”
which is the Greek word “charisma” or “favor with which one
receives without any merit of his own, and grace or gifts denoting
extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling
them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to
the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy
Spirit” “of God” which
refers to “the one and only true God the Father, God the Son and
God the Holy Spirit”. It is God Almighty who gives gifts to people,
and Paul's desire was for Timothy to zealously use the gift God had
given to him.
The
verse goes on to say, “which is in you by the putting on of my
hands.” Paul declared from where this “gift of God”
came, “which is in you” or “within you” “by the
putting on” which means “by means of the laying on” “of
my hands” which symbolized the “transfer of power, might or
ability”. In other words, Paul laid his hands upon Timothy as he
prayed for him to be gifted and used by the Lord Jesus in the
ministry. Paul's desire was for Timothy to remember when he received
his gift and to use it for the Kingdom of God.
As
we think through these words of Paul, it is interesting to note that
Paul felt he had to challenge Timothy to “stir up” his
gift. We might relate to this as we observe others who are gifted by
the Lord in areas of their lives, and yet barely or never use the
gifts they have been given. Perhaps we have “gifts” which
sit idle and are in need of stirring, or maybe we neglect the “gifts”
that God has given to us. Each of us receive “unmerited favors”
that can be used in Jesus Christ's church, and when we disregard our
“gifts” not only do we suffer, but the church lacks in
that area as well. Let us allow Paul's words to Timothy to be a
challenge to us also, and may the Lord Jesus not only give us
“gifts” to use in His Kingdom, but inspire us with boldness
and zeal to share them wherever we have opportunity.
Next
time Paul tells Timothy “God has not given us the spirit
of fear”, so read ahead, and
we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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