From 2 Timothy 1: 1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. 2 To Timothy, my dear child.
Thanksgiving and prayer 3 Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.I'm grateful to God, whom I serve with a good conscience as my ancestors did. I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night. 4 When I remember your tears, I long to see you so that I can be filled with happiness. 5 I'm reminded of your authentic faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I'm sure that this faith is also inside you. 6 Because of this, I'm reminding you to revive God's gift that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 God didn't give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. Don’t be ashamed of the testimony 8 So don't be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, share the suffering for the good news, depending on God's power. 9 God is the one who saved and called us with a holy calling. This wasn't based on what we have done, but it was based on his own purpose and grace that he gave us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 Now his grace is revealed through the appearance of our savior, Christ Jesus. He destroyed death and brought life and immortality into clear focus through the good news. 11 I was appointed a messenger, apostle, and teacher of this good news. 12 This is also why I'm suffering the way I do, but I'm not ashamed. I know the one in whom I've placed my trust. I'm convinced that God is powerful enough to protect what he has placed in my trust until that day. 13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Protect this good thing that has been placed in your trust through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (Common English Bible)
Paul writes to Timothy with several words of encouragement. Paul reminds Timmy that he had been called "to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus," and Timmy was to do the same. After his greeting, Paul shares a prayer of thanksgiving and grace, reminding Timothy that he is covered in prayer day and night by Paul's prayers and others who are remembering him and his work. Paul then says he is reminded of Timothy's genuine faith which was something that he received from his grandma and mother, Lois and Eunice. I included as today's picture, a picture of the only grandmother I knew, and one who blessed my faith because of her faith. My other grandmother died when my mother was only 11, so I never knew her. But I am thankful that Petra Martinez Valverde, "Momo" as we called her lived until 1985. My mother and father also were very key in helping shape my faith, and it goes to prove that how we live our lives as believers helps shape and strengthen the faith of the young. Many blame the church for the lack of children and youth, young adults as well, but we have to wonder what role the parents and grandparents had in that exodus? I am not trying to excuse the church for there are some things that we may have or are doing, that helped keep them out, but I argue for the strong positive influence a solid faith of a parent should have in the life of a child.
Timothy was a strong believer tasked with a difficult job, of instructing former believers who had strayed into teaching myths and endless genealogies (from 1 Tim 1). Paul reminds him that he was prayed for by the laying on of hands and had received God's strong gift. And that gift, as defined in verse 7, is not a timid spirit, "but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled." This is the spirit needed in all churches today. Folks come on Sundays and if that gift is not shared in the message or worship, folks will give in to the spirit of despair that is prevalent in the world today. Paul reminds Timothy to be proud and not ashamed of the testimony that he is sharing about the Lord. It was God who called both Paul and Timothy and it is God who is with them allowing them to face all that they have suffered. Paul ends this part of the letter with that hope that is also needed, that God will not allow anything to harm the faith in us if we stayed connected to God. Live a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life is Paul's instruction to Timothy and to us.
If ever the church needed to hear that, it is right now.
PRAYER: Make loud and clear Your message to us, the church, about our spirits and our lives. May we live as those called and protected by You to share a life that is not timid nor ashamed of You, but rather strong and bold about what You have, are, and will do, in our lives and in the lives of our churches. Begin with me. This I ask in Jesus, my Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
