Fan Into A Flame The Gift Of GOD You Received

"From Paul. apostle of CHRIST JESUS, by the will of GOD, for the sake of HIS promise of eternal life, in CHRIST JESUS, to my dear son Timothy.

May grace, mercy and peace be with you, from GOD, the FATHER, and CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

I give thanks to GOD, whom I serve with a clear conscience, the way my ancestors did, as I remember you constantly, day and night, in my prayers.  I recall your tears, and I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, so like the faith of your grandmother Lois and of your mother Eunice, which I am sure you have inherited.

For this reason, I invite you to fan into a flame, the gift of GOD you received, through the laying on of my hands.  For GOD did not confer on us a spirit of fearfulness, but of strength, love and good judgment.  Do not be ashamed of testifying to our LORD, nor of seeing me in chains.  On the contrary, do your share in laboring for the gospel, with the strength of GOD.  HE saved us and called us--a calling which proceeds from HIS holiness.  This did not depend on our merits, but on HIS generosity and HIS own initiative.  This calling, given to us from all time, in CHRIST JESUS has just been manifested with the glorious appearance of CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, who destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light, in HIS gospel.  Of this message, I was made herald, apostle and teacher.

For its sake, I now suffer this trial, but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have believed, and I am convinced, that HE is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to HIM, until that day. -  2 Timothy 1:1-12 

(Fan into a flame the gift of GOD you received.  See 1 Timothy 4:14.  Paul tries to give his own energy to Timothy and he reminds him of GOD's love and promises.

HE is capable of taking care of all I have entrusted to HIM.  These words invite us to remember the exact meaning of the word "faith."  In Hebrew, for the Old Testament, the word "faith" had the same root as "to be firm," or "to lean on something."  In Greek, the word that has become "faith" signifies both the trust that could be had in a debtor, and the guarantee given to the creditor.  So Paul considers all his apostolic life as the deposit he has placed in GOD's hands.  Like Paul a person of faith is not deceived by the mirages of a happy life but prefers to use his life in an often thankless labor and persevere as if he already saw what couldn't yet be seen [Hebrews 11:27].)

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