In 2 Timothy 1:6-7 I read, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (NIV)
When Timothy joined Paul on his missionary journey, Timothy was still a very young man. Paul sent him to a city called Ephesus to help start and lead a church. Even though Timothy struggled with fear, God used him.
Here are three lessons I can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling on my life.
Develop the gifts God gave me.
The Bible says, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity . . . Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you . . . Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all” (1 Timothy 4:12, 14-15 GNT).
Paul also told Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV).
As a believer, I have a lifelong responsibility to develop the talents and gifts God has given me.
Refuse to be distracted.
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (NLT).
It’s easy to get sidetracked by a desire to build my business, family, career, or savings. And many people waste countless hours of their lives on the Internet and on their phones. As a follower of Jesus, I’ve got to keep the most important things in focus so I can fulfill my calling.
Give God my very best.
The Bible says, “Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself; for it was to this life that God called you” (1 Timothy 6:12 GNT). God has called me to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when I give it the best of my time, effort, gifts, and focus.
Paul says about Timothy, “I have no one else like Timothy” (Philippians 2:20 NLT). Can you imagine a greater epitaph? There was no one else in the world like Timothy. He was focused. He was committed to the call of God in his life. Nobody could distract or discourage him, and he gave God his best.
As I give God my best and follow his calling, God will bring out the best in me too.
In summary, I am to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in me. For the Spirit God gave me does not make me timid, but gives me power, love and self-discipline. Even though Timothy struggled with fear, God used him. Here are three lessons I can learn from Timothy about how to fulfill God’s calling. 1). Develop the gifts God gave me. Be an example in my speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in me, Practice these things and devote myself to them. The Spirit God gave me does not make me timid, but gives me power, love and self-discipline. I have a lifelong responsibility to develop the talents and gifts God has given me. 2). Refuse to be distracted. Keep a close watch on how you live and on my teaching. Stay true to what is right. It’s easy to get sidetracked by a desire, and waste countless hours on the Internet and on my phone. Learn to keep the most important things in focus so I can fulfill my calling. 3). Give God my very best. Run my best in the race of faith, and win eternal life. God has called me to a specific task, and it can only be accomplished when I give it the best of my time, effort, gifts, and focus. As I give God my best and follow his calling, God will bring out the best in me too.
At the time of his ordination, Timothy had received special gifts of the Spirit to enable him to serve the church. In telling Timothy to "fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you," Paul was encouraging him to persevere. Timothy did not need new revelations or new gifts; e needed the courage and self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts he had already received. If Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would go with him and give him power. When I use my gifts that God has given me, I will find that God will give me the power I need to accomplish whatever task he gives me. Clearly Timothy's spiritual gift had been given to him when Paul and the elders had laid their hands on him and set him apart for ministry. God gives all Christians gifts to use to build up the body of Christ, and he gives special gifts to some through church leaders, who serve as God's instruments. Timothy was experiencing great opposition to his message and to himself as a leader. His youth, his association with Paul, and his leadership had come under fire from believers and nonbelievers alike. Paul urged him to be bold. If I allow others to intimidate me, I neutralize my effectiveness for God. The power of the Holy Spirit can help me overcome my fear of what some might say or do to me so that I can continue to do God's work. Paul mentions three characteristics of the effective Christian leader: power, love, and self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Follow his leading each day so that my life will more fully exhibit these characteristics.
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