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2 Timothy: family resemblance
Welcome to the weekly lift number 81, Tuesday 26th October 2021, as we continue in thankfulness through the New Testament. Today we look at Paul's second letter to Timothy: "Family Resemblance"
It's not always good to have a family resemblance! Sometimes it can be good. Sometimes not. When I see pictures of my balding grandfather, I'm not that keen on resembling him in years to come. Sometimes we may long to look more like our parents and grandparents. Sometimes we may long to not look like them at all!
In Paul's second letter to Timothy, we find that Paul is a family friend of Timothy's. He seems to know Timothy's grandmother and mother...
2 Timothy 1:3-5
3I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Paul thanks God for Timothy.
Paul longs to have the joy of seeing Timothy again.
And Paul is reminded of Timothy's sincere faith - which he first saw in Timothy's grandmother and mother.
This is a significant relationship between Paul and Timothy. Not just a friendship, but much deeper. He remembers Timothy's tears. He longs to see him. And he sees the work of God through his family line.
I am blessed to know many people who came to know Jesus without anyone else in their family being a Christian. God revealed himself to them directly through reading the Bible, or through a friend, or a Scripture teacher, or in one of many other ways. It is amazing and wonderful to hear these stories of people coming to faith.
Sometimes I meet Christians who have grown up in the family of faith from birth. Like myself, they never knew a time when they didn't know Jesus. And often they might say that they have a "boring" Christian background because they just "grew up in a Christian home". But this is every bit as exciting! It's exciting to think that our parents or grandparents may have passed on to us the most important part of life - a saving knowledge of Jesus. It's exciting to think that this was so important to them that they shared this with us. it is anything but boring!
Paul thanks God as he remembers Timothy, and as he remembers their relationship, and as he remembers Timothy's faithful family members, Lois and Eunice.
Once Paul establishes his thanks for Timothy and his faith, he moves on to the big stuff of the letter, which of course would not be possible if it weren't for this first established fact - that he was brought to faith by his mum and grandma:
2 Timothy 1:6-8
6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.
Paul moves on to REMIND Timothy, almost like a big brother, to fan into flame the gifts given to him by God. He is thankful for Timothy's faith, but then says: "Let's go, Timothy! Go and use those gifts God has given you - don't be timid. Get on with it. God has given you power, love and self-discipline to do his gospel work. Come and join with me in suffering for the cause of the gospel!"
Timothy has a wonderful Christian upbringing as a background. Paul is thankful for this. But... let's move on now.
How did God bring the gospel into your life? Through family? Friends? Church? Maybe just picking up a Bible and reading it. Whatever way it happened, whichever way God brought you into a relationship, that is the most amazing work he has done in your life. No person's story is better than another - they are all amazing. To turn a sinner to sainthood is an extraordinary work of God, no matter which way it happened!
But the question for us is... now what? Let's go! God has called you into his service. Fan into flame YOUR gifts, whatever they may be.
As we climb out of our locked-down homes, back to school, work, social gatherings and all that... what now? It is absolutely amazing that God has called you into his kingdom. Celebrate. Rejoice. And then ask yourself: "What's next?"
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for bringing me into your kingdom. For the people or circumstances around that moment in my life - I thank you deeply. I celebrate and rejoice that you have called me as your child. Help me now to join the work of Timothy and Paul in serving you and your kingdom today. Amen.