“Passion for God”
2 Timothy 1:6-7
6For this reason, I remind you to kindle anew the gift of God, which is in you by the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of self-control.
You know, our Christian lives are a bit like a bonfire. We can be on fire for God (radiating Christ to those around us), but over time if we don’t rekindle the fire or keep it blazing, the fire within us can dim. Our desire to serve God can wane. Our desire to follow God can waver. Other things will take priority; and before we know it, we have lost our way.
It seems that Timothy’s spiritual fire had cooled. This young man who pastored the historical Church at Ephesus spiritual fire was wavering. It hadn’t gone out, but it was seriously wavering. You know, lots of things can dampen the spiritual fire that dwells within.
For example:
1. Timothy struggled with ill health (1 Timothy 5:23). Who knows, this could have affected Timothy’s desire to serve God…even question God.
2. Timothy was young, shy, and emotional (2 Timothy 1:4). Sometimes Christianity can be an emotional roller coaster—highs and low. If we are not able to deal with these highs and lows, it will affect our passion for God.
3. Timothy encountered difficulties and opposition while pastoring in the Ephesian church. False teachers gave young Timothy a hard time in Ephesus.
Paul would have loved to have seen him personally (1:4a) but it seems Paul was under house arrest. So, Paul wrote to him and encouraged him to rekindle the spiritual fire within. You know, at times we all need to rekindle the spiritual fire within.
Therefore, Paul gave Timothy and us several pointers in which we could rekindle the spiritual fire within to make us passionate for God:
Remember Your Calling (v. 6a): There is a beautiful thread that connects this verse back to vv. 3-5. Three times we read of Paul’s memories or things he called to mind and here we read that Paul wants to remind Timothy of something: to kindle anew the gift of God, which is in you.
The NASB reads kindle afresh. The word literally means to fan or reignite as in reference to a fire. The idea is that Timothy must not allow the fire of his gift to grow cold. This is, after all, a reminder. It comes in the form of a gentle urging to keep up the pace; not to quicken nor slacken, but to maintain.
We all need encouragement in our spiritual lives. There are so many things that can put out the spiritual fire in our lives. But let’s fan into flame God’s gift…whatever it is (mercy; helps; encouragement; etc.). Let’s keep the fire alive so that we can serve God with passion and fervor.
Remember Your Gift (v. 6b): Upon conversion, every believer is given spiritual gifts for the singular purpose of building up Christ’s church and edifying His saints. Timothy’s gifts include the God-given ability to preach the Word of God and train up men. How do we know this? Because that’s what he was called to do. This is a reminder not to allow that gifting to grow cold, but to fan the flames and the fire of that gift. How can we do this? By using it!
Remember Your Resources (v. 7): The word timidity in the NASB is better translated as cowardice. God has not given any believer as a special gift through the Holy Spirit the spiritual gift of cowardice. A coward has but one thing in mind: self-preservation. A coward will do anything, say anything, and sell anything or anyone so long as he himself is preserved. But the Holy Spirit of Almighty God has endowed believers with gifts for the benefit of others, for the building up and edification of the saints. There is no room for cowards in the Kingdom of God.
Paul follows this up with what God has given us: a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Power could also be translated as ability. We are not talking about potential or theoretical power, but power that actually and effectually accomplishes what it sets out to do. God has given His children the ability to keep His commands and edify His church.
This is followed by love (the volitional choice to place other’s needs and desires above our own) and Self-control (the exercise of prudence and moderation). Dynamic personalities are easily mistaken for the God-given ability to proclaim the gospel. This ability comes with divine love that cares for others along with self-control that informs us not so much when to speak, but how to speak.
If you are a Christian, you have been given the ability to effectively minister to the local church. If you are not now doing so, it is either because you are not even attempting to minister and prefer to be a spectator, or you are not utilizing your resources as you depend upon your flesh rather than upon the Spirit within you.
Being passionate for God involves rekindling the spiritual fire within.
In His Service,
Pastor John N. Punni, II