Passed Down Faith
2 Timothy 1:5-7 NLT
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Timothy was like a son to Paul. Paul referred to him as his son in the faith. So we understand that Timothy was important to Paul. Paul had left him in charge of the large church at Ephesus, and the letters to Timothy were both encouragement and instruction regarding his role.
What Paul calls to mind about Timothy is interesting. Paul remembers the sincere, genuine faith that Timothy had. Paul recognized that the faith he saw in Timothy was a faith that was present in Timothy’s family. His grandmother and mother both had faith that Paul noticed. And it seems as if Paul is having to encourage his young protege by reminding Timothy that he too has faith. What is interesting is that faith is the quality that Paul calls to mind. Not poise or intelligence or strength. Paul knew that if you were facing difficulties, faith would outweigh other traits.
Because Paul encourages Timothy to stir up, or fan into flames, the gift of God in him, it appears that faith is required to ignite the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the gift of God. He is the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. And we don’t stir Him up physically or with emotion and hype. We stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit by acknowledging Him by faith, leaning on His power by faith, following His love, and trusting His promptings of self-discipline, all by faith in His help and ability. This is a learning process, but if Timothy can do this, so can we.
As to faith being passed down, that’s a real thing. When there is genuine faith in God inside a home, it creates an environment that is solid and stable. Genuine faith creates a confidence in God that is compelling. Of course, everyone has to develop their own faith in the Lord. Timothy couldn’t simply ride on Mama’s and Grandma’s faith. But when something of God is real and present, it sets a wonderful standard.
We notice that Paul never seems to pity or feel sorry for Timothy. He encourages him as to the good things in him. And in the coming chapters, Paul encourages Timothy to do the hard things as a soldier of the Lord. Paul knew pity wouldn’t help Timothy. Reminding Timothy of the powerful, overcoming faith that was in him was the best encouragement he could offer.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that I have faith in You that is real. And thank You that I can stir up the Holy Spirit within me. He is the greater one and one of my greatest advantages in life.