2nd Timothy 1

It is hard sometimes to stand up for what we know is right and just in God's eyes. There is a good chance that we will suffer for our beliefs. People are not always receptive to the truth if it is contrary to their own prejudice. We were chosen
to be examples of His power to save, not ours.
We are to extend
His mercy, His grace and His peace to all who accept it in Christ Jesus. Our prayers are passed down from generation to generation and are powerful for good in the hands of a loving, merciful Father. This gift is offered from generation to generation but we must accept it. God was made manifest to man when Jesus walked the earth. Jesus had no problems with the ordinary, the sinful, the sick, or the weak. They were teachable. He had great problems with the self righteous, power hungry, who thought they had nothing to learn. They crucified the Word made flesh to keep their own power and control. They tried to keep the truth from the masses for they knew the truth would set the people free. Truth could not be silenced.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to
the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, a beloved son:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers
night and day, 4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 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.

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

The NKJV put it this way: Paul considers himself a bearer of a life-giving message. This message of life stands in ironic contrast to the fact that Paul was writing from a Roman prison, facing his execution. Christian service and worship go hand in hand in ministry. No matter what their circumstances, believers should pray to their heavenly Father, committing everything to His loving hands. Paul rejoices when he recalls Timothy's faithful grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, whose name means "Good Victory." The prayers, witness, and faith of his godly mother and grandmother were central factors in the spiritual development of Timothy. Timothy is urged to rekindle his spiritual gift. The constant struggle of Christians is to be diligent about our work for God and not to slacken our pace in this spiritual race. We need to make a conscious effort to exercise our gift for the common good of the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the One who gives us spiritual gifts and empowers us to use them. God's Spirit does not impart fear or cowardice, but power, love, and a sound mind, or "self-control." The Spirit imparts power for the various circumstances of ministry. The love the Spirit gives to us should be directed toward other individuals. Paul is concerned that in the face of vehement opposition Timothy might be afraid to witness. Share with me in the sufferings indicates that at times a faithful witness for the Lord will involve adversity. Paul's confidence in the gospel and his Savior enabled him to suffer without any shame. The phrase whom I have believed expresses Paul's unshakable trust in his Savior. God will protect us in life and in death. He will not forget a life of faithful service to Him when He returns. The Handbook for a Life's Work In his final and intimate letter to his "son in the faith," Paul reminded Timothy of the essentials of the faith, the basis of Christian ministry. Paul did not want Timothy to drift away from the truth. Timothy's authority would not come from his own wisdom, Paul's endorsement, or the acceptance of others. His teaching would stand only to the degree that it was based on Scripture. If we teach the truth but do not teach the source of truth, we will not succeed in passing on our faith. Our affirmations and actions have to be founded on God's Word or they will be little more than wishful thinking.