2 Timothy 1:7-12
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For this reason 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 what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Paul writes this letter to Timothy, knowing that his time is short.
He is well aware that he is going to die.
So, Paul is taking this opportunity to encourage Timothy.
Paul wants to make sure he stresses certain things to Timothy.
This could be the last time Paul gets to communicate with him.
With that in mind, early in the letter we see these verse 7 through 12.
Paul is stressing three major things.
God has given us a spirit of power and of love and a sound mind.
The word for "sound mind" actually means self-control and discipline.
One translation says, "wise discretion."
In other words, we have control of ourselves, acting properly and sensibly in each situation.
This is the opposite of the spirit of cowardice or timidity or fear that comes from evil.
Notice Paul's next statement, "do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord."
Do not be ashamed or afraid to speak the gospel of Jesus.
Paul is reminding us that we have the spirit of God to speak boldly about Jesus.
Do not let fear or embarrassment or uncertainty prevent you from speaking about our Lord.
You may not know everything but speak what you know.
Jesus has abolished death and brought eternal life to us, through the gospel message.
Salvation is only found in Jesus.
Then Paul reminds us that he suffers because of the gospel that he has shared.
Still, though in prison, waiting to be executed, Paul is not ashamed of the gospel.
Why? Why at this lowest point, is he not ashamed?
Surely, in prison, waiting for death, we should be ashamed of our actions that brought us here.
But no.
Paul is wrongfully imprisoned only for sharing the truth of Jesus Christ.
Preaching and teaching that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of us all.
This is persecution that any of us could face.
Paul encourages Timothy to share in suffering for the gospel.
And, because of Paul's situation, that's why he says, "I know Who I have believed."
Paul believed in Jesus, the Savior, the One Who raises the dead back to life.
Paul knew that Jesus would return and those asleep in Christ would be raised again to eternal life with God.
So, like Timothy, we need to recognize at least these three ideas from these verses.
Know that we have the Spirit of power and love and discipline.
Speak boldly in love and wisdom about our Lord, telling everyone about His salvation.
Trust in the Lord, that no matter what happens here in this life, He will raise us up to be with Him in that wonderful new city.
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