A Personal Faith

II Timothy 1:1-7

II Timothy is written to a young man who is planning on going into the ministry. Paul writes as a father or dear friend, advising on the things which Timothy will need to do to prepare himself for ministry. It actually predates I Timothy, which describes what will be required to fulfill his responsibilities in his first solo ministry. Paul leaves no question who he is is or who he is addressing.

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” (II Timothy 1:1-2)

Several years ago, a woman who attended our church described meeting a woman who had just obtained her citizenship and was very excited because now she was a Christian. She didn’t understand that being an American and being Christian were in no way related. Although many Christian principles are found in the constitution, they do not make one a Christian.

In the ‘Bible Belt’, one finds many who claim to be Christians because their ancestors were. Some will tell you they are Baptist because their Grandfather was, although they have no understanding what Baptists, or Christians actually believe. I understand that it is a common attitude among many Europeans as well.

Historically, a carpenter taught his son to be a carpenter, a banker taught his son to be a banker, and tailor taught his son to be a tailor. Despite the freedom to choose one’s own vocation, athletes tend to have children who are athletes, plumber’s sons tend to become plumbers, and banker’s children tend to associate with financial matters. They are not forced to but their background provides a strong basis for following that type of occupation.

Despite the tendency to follow their parents occupation, growing up in a plumber’s home does not make the son a plumber, nor a banker’s son a banker. He still has to choose to become a plumber or banker, and demonstrate the qualifications and skills to become a plumber or banker. In the same way, a Christian background may encourage one to become a Christian but it does not make one a Christian. A person must decide whether he will do what is necessary to be a Christian for himself.

That Timothy is considering a life of ministry is a cause for rejoicing. Like Paul, Timothy has a background of serving God, specifically as exemplified in his grandmother and mother. There is no doubt of the reality of their faith.

“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; 2ti 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (II Timothy 1:3-5)

Paul believes that Timothy has the same kind of faith as his mother and grand mother. Without the same faith himself, he will never attain to the ministry. His parents’ faith will not suffice. It will be necessary to have his own faith, and to allow the Holy Spirit’s working in his own life. The power and ability comes from God, not from our forbearers.

“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. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ( II Timothy 1:6-7)

God ‘s gift did not include an attitude of fear. I John 4:18 stresses that a sound mature love for Christ will eliminate fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” Instead, there will be a power in our witnessing and work. Acts 1:8 states, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Matthew 28:19-20 makes it clear that that power is the basis of our witnessing. It will produce a confidence in what we are telling others.

He has also given us an attitude of love. That attitude is characteristic of those who know God. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love,” (I John 4:7-8). That love is described in I Corinthians 13:4-7. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

He also gives a sound mind, one capable of making intelligent decisions. While we accept God’s claims by faith, we have logical reasons for doing so. It is not blind faith. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22 God gave two specific tests for whether they were to believe a preacher or speaker. “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

Our mind came from God. When he is allowed control, it will lead to wise decisions Proverbs 3:5-7 instructs, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” As I Corinthians 2:16 says, “We have the mind of Christ” if we are in him.

These things don't benefit us if they are only in someone else's life.