II Timothy 1:2-9 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 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.”
It does not take long to recognize that there was a very special relationship between the Apostle Paul and Timothy. Within our text, Paul held several spiritual posts in Timothy’s life; that of a father, a friend, and fellow-laborer. Yet there is one such position that is necessary if Timothy is to reach his full potential in Christ; that of being a faithful reminder; “I put thee in remembrance.”
As a father, friend, and fellow-laborer, Paul seen the necessity and assumed the role of being a faithful reminder. Within the text there are at least four areas that Paul called attention to; the first being responsibility. Paul reminded the lad that God has a specific will for every believer; accompanying your faith was a function; an expectation that God has for your life and it is your responsibility to fulfill God’s divine purpose.
Paul reminded the lad of rekindling, “that thou stir up.” The word “stir up” means to re-enkindle so as to repetitively give life to the burning fire. There is a constant attack by the world, the flesh, and the devil to smother the fire of persistence and faithful perseverance that motivates the believer in their love and labor for the Lord. The fire burns away the dross that contaminates the desired divine product.
Paul also reminded the Timothy of the resource; “the gift of God.” God has not left you to yourself, void of resources necessary to accomplish the task. Paul reminds Timothy of a divine gratuity or a spiritual endowment that belongs to him! God never intended Timothy to labor in the energy of self, but rather draw upon a supernatural endowment tailor made for the specific call upon his life.
The final reminder was that of recognition, “which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” Paul as well as the presbytery had recognized the purpose of God and the provision of God in Timothy’s life. By the laying on of hands, they confirmed the work and committed themselves to being co-laborers with him.
While it is a true blessing to have a father, a friend, and a fellow-laborer in the ministry; sometimes the real blessing is to have someone committed to seeing that you reach your full potential in Christ. They see and assume the responsibility of reminding you of a personal responsibility, a periodic rekindling, a providential resource, and a public recognition. Someone needs you to be a faithful reminder!