Fan the Flame of Faith
About this time of year, many people need a recharge. No, not the batteries in their cars or power tools that have not been used through a busy Summer, but a recharge of their faith. We have been cruising along since Summer and many people have fallen into a rut spiritually and need a recharge. They may need help fanning the flame of faith back into a roaring fire like the ones we will be using soon as the coldness of winter gets closer and closer. How do we do this? Or can we even do this? Does this need to come without so that we just passively wait for it?
Paul wrote to Timothy from prison. He anticipated that he would soon die for his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. God had used Timothy to encourage Paul and he wanted to return the favor. His advice to his young protégé would be helpful for us as well. We read this advice in 2 Timothy 1:6-14 (NASB95),
“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. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
Paul told Timothy to:
Remember when you were saved and were commissioned to use the gifts God has given you through His Holy Spirit. (v. 6)
Recognize God has given you everything you need to serve Him and to keep going. (v. 7)
Do not let the world make you ashamed of the Lord so that you are tempted to back off from His church, His people, or His presence. (v. 8)
Remember where you have come from and where you are going. (vv. 9-11)
Keep God before your eyes and be patient with His timing and His work in you. (v. 12)
Keep God’s word in your heart and life and know it well. (v. 13) Value God and His word more than anything else in your life. (v. 14)
Value God and His word more than anything else in your life. (v. 14)
The enemy wants to distract us from the joy of the Lord. He wants to cause us to be distracted from the victory we have already won. He wants to discourage us so that we will sit back passively and be unfruitful and unproductive with the salvation we have been given. He wants to convince us that everyone else has been given gifts and talents, but not us. He is a liar and Paul wanted Timothy to keep on living for Jesus and serving God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. His advice to Timothy can help us as well to Fan the Flame of Faith.