Many individuals think about New Yr’s Day a chance for a contemporary begin. We glance to the longer term with hopes, desires, and plans for one thing higher. If that eager for a greater future is born out of a tough season or a tough life, reflecting backward can appear unappealing or downright dreadful. Nonetheless, for Christians, remembering key components of our previous can present braveness and motivation as we glance to the longer term. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he instructs Timothy to recollect his religion, his religion neighborhood, his gifting/calling, and the ability of God within the Holy Spirit. As we press ahead into 2025, I encourage you to replicate on the identical components of your life and remind these you counsel to do the identical.
“For I’m aware of the honest religion inside you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mom Eunice, and I’m certain that it’s in you as properly. Because of this I remind you to kindle afresh the reward of God which is in you thru the laying on of my palms. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, however of energy and love and self-discipline. Due to this fact don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, however be part of with me in struggling for the gospel based on the ability of God, who has saved us and known as us with a holy calling, not based on our works, however based on His personal function and style which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Tim. 1:5-9).
Keep in mind Your Religion
The Apostle Paul begins the instruction portion of his letter to Timothy by grounding it in Timothy’s religion. Paul presents Timothy his assured assurance that Timothy’s religion is honest and abiding (v. 5). Many Christians wrestle with doubts regarding their salvation. Doubts come up within the face of trials and temptations. Giving into temptation, particularly these one has sought to beat for years, can sow seeds of doubt relating to the genuineness of 1’s salvation. Seasons of trial and issue could make it appear to be God doesn’t hear us or that He’s not even with us anymore. These doubts are exacerbated when the trials are extreme or sustained for lengthy intervals. Timothy was dealing with robust opposition in ministry, and Paul pointed Timothy to his previous and current religion.
Paul additionally reminds Timothy of the supply and substance of the gospel on the coronary heart of his religion. Remembering that God didn’t save us primarily based on our works however by grace and the finished work of Jesus (v. 9) counteracts doubts of our salvation rooted in our sinfulness. If you start to doubt your salvation, look to Jesus—keep in mind His life, His work, His dying, and His resurrection. Then do not forget that His work stands for eternity; He known as you into it, and nothing can take that religion away (John 10:27-29; Rom. 8:38-39).
Keep in mind the Energy of God within the Holy Spirit
Paul reminds Timothy that his religion can’t be misplaced as a result of it isn’t in Timothy’s palms; it’s in God’s. Timothy’s religion was given and is sustained by the ability of God (v. 8). That energy which saves us continues with and abides in us. The ability that saves and abides in us additionally empowers us to stay courageously for God (v. 7).
In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he presents related encouragement, “But when the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the useless dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the useless will even give life to your mortal our bodies via His Spirit who dwells in you” (Rom. 8:11). When doubts, struggling, or temptation come, struggle them by remembering that the identical Spirit that rose Jesus from the useless is in you who’re in Christ.
Keep in mind Your Religion Group
God’s promise to by no means go away us or forsake us offers nice consolation and braveness to His individuals (Deut. 31:6-8; Heb. 13:5). He provides to that consolation and braveness by giving us a neighborhood of fellow believers, the Church. Paul reminds Timothy to replicate on the opposite believers in his life. He highlights the religion of Timothy’s grandmother and mom, Lois and Eunice (v. 5). Timothy would have mirrored on the religion of his mom and grandmother with little question they had been real followers of Jesus. Paul knew all three and inspired Timothy that his religion was much like his mother’s and grandma’s.
This letter to Timothy can be a really private one. Paul and Timothy knew each other intimately. Paul calls Timothy his “beloved son” (v. 2). He prays for Timothy evening and day (v. 3), longs to be with Timothy once more, and remembers Timothy’s tears at their departure (v. 4). It’s primarily based on this shut relationship, and Timothy’s honest religion, that Paul encourages Timothy to press ahead of their joint ministry. Paul encourages Timothy to not be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus or of Paul’s imprisonment however to hitch in struggling for the gospel (v. 8). After we look at the pronouns in verse 9, we see they’re first individual plural: “us,” “us,” “our,” and “us.” Paul assures Timothy that they’re on this work collectively.
Devil likes to persuade those that we’re alone on this life and the work God calls us to. God reminds us time and again we aren’t alone. He’s with us, and we’re a part of a neighborhood of believers, one physique with many members. After we damage, they damage; after we rejoice, so do they (1 Cor. 12:26). Be inspired by the believers you recognize and be an encouragement to them as properly.
Keep in mind Your Gifting/Calling
Goal is a robust motivator. When tasked with a specific job, understanding the why is commonly extra essential than understanding the what. After we are unsure of why we’re doing one thing, we have a tendency to not do it as properly or perhaps under no circumstances. What’s true of particular person duties can be true of life as an entire. When somebody begins to assume that his life lacks which means, function, and significance, it steals motivation to press on; it could result in discouragement, melancholy, and even a scarcity of need to stay. When struggling is added to the combination, it compounds the issues. Paul is aware of this and reminds Timothy to “kindle afresh the reward of God which is in you” (v. 6), and he reminds him of the holy calling on his life (v. 9).
God doesn’t save Christians merely to get us into heaven. The lifetime of a believer will not be meant to be lived passively, like ready at a bus cease to be picked up and carried to our closing vacation spot. God has known as us on an unbelievable journey with Him and His individuals, working collectively and marching to our closing vacation spot. We aren’t saved by good works, however we’re saved for them (Eph. 2:10).
Conclusion
Whoever you might be, wherever you might be, God has gifted you and known as you to stay for Him and His glory. When life will get laborious, if you get discouraged, keep in mind God has known as you to nice works. He has positioned you in a neighborhood of believers who are supposed to encourage each other alongside this journey. He has given every of us the ability to perform our function with His Holy Spirit dwelling in us. He has executed all this via the completed work of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Replicate on these truths and remind others of them as properly, and press ahead with braveness into the New Yr.
Take time this vacation season to replicate on the gospel. Meditate on the life and works of Jesus. Ponder the deep theological truths of the gospel. Then, spend a while in reward and prayer for the New Yr.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidences of real religion do you see in your life?
- Who are you able to ask, who is aware of you properly, who’s conscious of your trials and temptations, to share their perspective in your religion and proof of it?
