Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 17, 2024 - Unfeigned Faith”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsUnfeigned Faith
Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul writes this second letter to Timothy to encourage him during a time when he appears to have lost heart. Surprisingly, Paul is building up Timothy even though he is the one in Roman custody. “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”(2 Tim 1:3-4). Paul remains thankful for Timothy in his prayers, especially mindful of their tear-filled parting. His frequent use of “remember”(v. 3, 4, and “reminded” in v. 5) tells Timothy that he is still thinking about him though miles separate them. “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”(2 Tim 1:5). Raised by a godly mother and grandmother, Timothy now shares their “sincere” or “unfeigned”(KJV) faith. An unfeigned faith has no hypocrisy or fakeness in it; it is exactly what it appears to be. Paul is calling on Timothy to live up to the tremendous examples he knows so well.
After talking about his remembering and reminding, Paul has something he wants to remind Timothy of: “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”(2 Tim 1:6-7). Timothy has a gift from God, but he must “fan” it “into flame.” He must nurture and use his gift rather than growing timid or reluctant. God does not want us to live in fear, but through his presence to have “power and love and self-control.” Timothy needs to rise beyond his fear in the confidence of faith.
We cannot force anyone to believe, but faith can be passed down as children see their parents demonstrate a pure, conscientious trust in God. It is easy for us to become jaded about faith. Corruption among religious leaders and personal slights from fellow Christians can convince us the whole enterprise is mistaken. We need examples of sincere, pure, real-deal faith to pull us out of our doldrums and inspire us to serve Jesus afresh with “power and love and self-control.”
-----------
One Thing to Think About: What examples of “unfeigned faith” have I seen?
One Thing to Pray For: God’s help as I pass down my faith to the next generation
