“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he speaks of “the gift that is in thee.” (4:14) Paul is not only speaking of the presence and power of the Spirit of God, but that special enduement, or capacity, that is given by God to every believer. From His teachings in his letters to the Corinthians and the Ephesians, it is clear that there are different gifts or capacities for different operations.. However, all these gifts and the operations of these gifts, however great or small in our eyes, have but one overriding, all-encompassing purpose, the glorifying or magnifying of the glory of God. In these days, at this point in history since the day of Pentecost and the birth of the church, that revelation of the life of Christ has been destined to be declared to the world through the body of Christ, the church. With regard to the permanency of God’s purposes and calling, and the giving of these gifts, Scripture is very clear that both are irrevokable, and unchanging. They have been put in place by the Spirit of God, and established, so that the believer can believe God for the full outworking of His will and purposes in the exercise of the gifts, and response to the calling. The question then becomes, “How then shall we live, and respond to the revelation of God’s gracious dealings with us, expecailly since “all things are possible to God, to Christ, the power of God in me?” (Charles Wesley)
The two letters of Paul to his “son in the faith,” Timothy, were in one sense, farewell letters, as the time when he would be departing out of this world to be with Christ was approaching. They are filled with the theme of accountability to God, in response to the immeasurable privilege and possibility of knowing Christ. Paul also instructs Timothy with regard to objectives, pit-falls to avoid, but also, concerning the essential truths that he needs to know and grasp, if he too would fulfill the purpose and reason for which God had called him to follow, in some measure, the steps of Paul, “fulfilling his ministry.” Paul used a certain method in doing this. He would enlighten Timothy again and again concerning what God had done for him, and what He desired to accomplish through him in the absence of Paul. As is the case in God’s dealings with all believers in the body of Christ, the Lord begins with revealing to Timothy through the Apostle, what is already TRUE of him with respect to his calling and gifts. He makes clear his mission, and the purpose of all, “…love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Tim. 1:5) In other words, it is the unveiling, and manifestation of the life of Christ in the midst of the church. Paul then speaks of Timothy’s calling and gifts which need to be clearly seen, grasped, and used in his approach to God, to believe Him for the full reception of them, and their use. If the grace of God would not be a vain thing for Timothy, then he must not “…neglect the gift that is in him.” (1 Tim. 4:14) If he would know Christ, and make Him known, then he must be an example to believers in every every way, and at the same time, give attention to reading, exhortation, and to the teaching of doctrine in the body of Christ. (v.13) To neglect his capacities to do so, by the use of the gifts God had given, would result in a limited experience of the great salvation in Christ for him and others.
Timothy is instructed to be a soldier, and a minister of God, one who is in pursuit of God and His hightest. It is as he stirs up the effective “gift of God,” that God works through him to edify His church, and advance His kingdom.
Dear Father, Stir us up today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.