FRIDAY January 12th
2 Timothy 1:3-7
‘I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.’
For our last look at these verses, Paul gives to Timothy a very important instruction ‘fan into flame the gift of God.’
Paul had instructed or encouraged Timothy in a similar way in his previous letter to him, 1 Timothy 4:14–15 ‘Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.’
I wonder what is the gift of God, or maybe plural, the gifts that God has given to each one of us? Yes, we have all received the gift of salvation, but there are other gifts that he gives, such as talents, or gifts of the Holy Spirit or maybe a particular ministry, but are we exercising or using the gifts in the body of Christ as we should be or have we allowed them to become dormant?
In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul wrote the following immediately after he had given instruction concerning the gifts of the Holy Spirit, ‘Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts’, 1 Corinthians 12:27–31.
Perhaps at this the beginning of a new year, as we may have already made personal resolutions or plans for 2024 it would also be a good opportunity to heed Paul’s instruction to Timothy for ourselves to ‘fan into flame’ again the gift and gifts of God which we have been given and to also as Paul encouraged the Church at Corinth to ‘earnestly desire the higher gifts’ so that together as a local Church we may be encouraged and blessed in a greater measure as we come together for fellowship.