For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
(2 Timothy 1:7 TNIV)
Powerful, loving, and self-discipline have you ever known someone with these qualities? I’ve known people who have displayed one or even two but to show all three consistently regardless of the situation points to their relationship with someone bigger than themselves (read God). You may ask why, the reason is because we’ve not been given the capacity to render these qualities from within. Though we can choose to mimic all three of these separately or in short periods together the difference is that when we do it out of our own strength it is like putting on garments that must eventually be removed and cleaned but when these qualities come from God it is from a source that is unending and pure.
Lastly, Paul tells Timothy to “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1:14 TNIV). These things are evidence of your relationship with God and witness to what He is doing in your life. By telling Timothy to guard them it is implied that Timothy watches out for compromise. Paul then goes on to tell about those who have deserted him because of where his unwavering convictions have led him. Paul speaks from his heart as he warns his spiritual son where this path will lead Timothy as well. You can hear the concern and compassion in Paul’s words knowing this river that must be crossed and the dangerous current that Timothy will surely face as each footstep takes him into deeper water.
Live this day knowing what is being asked of you and cling to the One who is bringing about this change from within. Though the journey maybe difficult at times, there will come a time when you look back and realize it was all worth it. Someone asked of Jesus if only a few people were going to be saved, to which He responded…
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
(Luke 13:29 TNIV)
And each who does take part in that feast will be an overcomer, this is not simply a title but it is descriptive of what was entrusted to them and how they guarded it.
For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
(Psalms 47:2 TNIV)
