Power, Love & Self-control

Power, Love & Self-control

My husband and I bought a two-person, inflatable kayak which we finally took out on a lake. We were able to paddle across the lake to where we wanted to fish and picnic and make our way back through rougher waters. This was our first attempt. With each excursion, I hope we will learn more and improve our kayaking skills. One outing in our kayak brought us through one small learning curve out of many to come.

God’s Word is similar but in a much more magnificent capacity. This past week I had an occasion to discuss 2 Timothy 1:7 with someone. Through that discussion and further study, I realized I had a basic understanding, but there were new layers of understanding I was gleaning. I hope and pray that further readings and study will only further and deepen my understanding not only of 2 Timothy 1:7 but all of Scripture.

Maybe 2 Timothy 1:7 is familiar to you, but I’d like to study it with you. Maybe there will be new take-aways for you like there was for me.

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.[1]

2 Timothy 1:6-7

Let’s begin with a quick background on Timothy and the purpose of Paul’s letter to him. Timothy was born to a Greek father and a Jewish mother. Both his mother and grandmother taught him the Jewish Scriptures (vs 5; Acts 16:1). These women were converted to Christianity (Acts 16:1) and were likely influential in Timothy coming to saving faith. Believers in Lystra brought Timothy to Paul’s attention which resulted in Timothy accompanying Paul on his missionary journey (Acts 16:2-3). Paul calls Timothy his “beloved child” (2 Timothy 2:2) and characterizes him by his “sincere faith” (2 Timothy 2:4).

Paul wrote to Timothy to direct Timothy to come to him, and to encourage him in his ministry. Part of that encouragement centers around verses 6 and 7. Paul addressed Timothy’s timidity[2] and how it impacted his ministry.

Paul reminded Timothy of the gift God had given him and “to fan into flame the gift of God…” I am not a Greek expert, but from what I have read, Paul uses strong language suggesting that Timothy was not using his God-given gift as forcefully as he might. This doesn’t mean that Timothy wasn’t using his gift at all. Paul used the Greek word anazopureo which translates “to kindle afresh” or “to keep in full flame”. If we think of Paul’s imagery of a fire, a fire needs fuel to keep burning. When we add wood or blow on the embers, the flames get bigger, brighter, hotter, more effective. If we do nothing, the fire can eventually burn out. Paul didn’t want fear to keep Timothy from using his gift to the fullest.

“Timothy already had a shepherd’s tender heart for the sheep; Paul wanted to develop within him the boldness necessary to really lead and protect the flock.”[3]

Similarly, we often wait passively for the perfect opportunity to drop in our lap before we use the gifts God has given us, or we retreat if we meet any kind of resistance. Sometimes we are waiting for some new, dazzling display from God instead of acting on what He has already given us. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Andrew and Philip who upon meeting Jesus immediately went to find someone else they could tell and bring back to Jesus. They didn’t passively wait for someone to walk by them and ask them who they’d talked to that day. In two of Paul’s letters, he tells his readers to conduct themselves (or walk) wisely and make the best use of their time (Ephesians 6:15; Colossians 4:5-6). Yes, we should pray about opportunities, but we also step out in faith in what God has called us to using the gifts He has given us for His glory.

But maybe you are like Timothy and the thought of being bold in your faith and using your God-given gifts is scary. This is why Paul continues, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” If you look at the pattern in Paul’s letters, he first reminds us of the indicatives (what God has done, who we are in Christ, etc.). Then he gives us the imperatives (what we do in response out of love and gratitude). Paul does the same with Timothy. He is calling Timothy to be bold in his testimony (vs 8), but he also encourages Timothy with how God has already equipped Timothy for the task.

This is where I learned a little more this week. Before I read the word spirit almost like it was a Get Out of Jail Free card in the game Monopoly. I could use it only if I drew the card, and once I used it, it returned to the bottom of the pile. I thought of it in terms of my own capability. Could I muster this spirit of power, love, and self-control? Would it run out? This is not how Paul meant it.

The word spirit in the Greek is pneuma. It can be used to refer to what is in our innermost being, what characterizes us. It is also used to name the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). I read commentaries for both, and there are important aspects of both. First, if we look at Paul’s wording, God has already given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. It’s done! We aren’t mustering up anything. God has given us what we need. Second, spirit referring to our innermost being means that power, love, and self-control are what characterize us not fear. We are not defined by fear. Our identity is power, love, and self-control.

Third, God gave us the Holy Spirit when we came to saving faith. God Himself indwells us. What do we know about God? He is omnipotent. He has all-power. That power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is indwelling us. God is love. Love is indwelling us. God is sovereign, in control of everything. Sovereign God is indwelling us. God Himself is equipping us through His indwelling Spirit to use the gifts He has given us for His glory.

But what about our fears? We all have fears: fear of what others think of us, fear of criticism, fear of rejection, fear of speaking at all, fear of disagreements, fear of travel, fear of not knowing enough, and the list goes on and on. But those fears are not from God. Stop and think about that for a moment. Fear can be overwhelming but isn’t it life-changing to know that your fear is not from God? Fear is not where you need to dwell. Fear is not what God wants for you. It is not what He has given you.

What has God given us? A spirit of:

• power – As we looked at before, we have the same power (Holy Spirit) indwelling us that raised Jesus from the dead.

• love – Power is distinguished by love. It isn’t power that seeks to control. It is a power that seeks to love and serve others as Jesus did (John 14:26).

• self-control – the Greek word also carries the idea of calm. Self-control and calm are opposites of how we usually respond when we are fearful (panicked, confused, unwise, irrational).

That is what God has already given you.

When I dwell on the richness of verse 7, it feels like it went from having the impact of a leaky faucet to the gush of a fire hydrant. Instead of something dependent on me or that can wane in effectiveness, God has given you and me Himself. He has given us an identity that comes from His own character. If you aren’t in awe, go back and meditate on God’s omnipotence, love, and sovereignty again. He has equipped us with power, love, and self-control by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Let us say with the psalmists:

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me.

Psalm 118:6

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

Don’t let fear keep you from using the gifts God has given you. He has already equipped you with His power, love, and self-control to boldly use the gifts He has given you and fulfill His purpose for your life.

Reflection:

1. What fears have kept you from using to the fullest the gifts God has given you?

2. How does knowing that God has already equipped you with a spirit of power, love, and self-control encourage you to put off your fear?

3. As you meditate on God’s omnipotence, love, and sovereignty and that His Spirit indwells you, how do each of those attributes impact your fear?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ti 1:6–7. [2] Paul encourages Timothy to boldness in at least twenty-five places in 1 and 2 Timothy. [3] David Guzik, 2 Timothy, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), 2 Ti 1:6.