2 Timothy 1
2 Timothy 1:1-18 (NKJV)
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.
15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me.
18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day—and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.
There is a wonderful demonstration here of the bonding that is our opportunity in the body to which we’ve been joined both to supply and to receive of strength and encouragement. Paul is engaged continually in this relationship, not just assuming all is good and going about his own life, but praying continually for this young man who has been anointed and gifted for ministry. He recognizes the significance of godly heritage Timothy received that has formed his character and passions. At times when there might be temptation to be insecure in our calling there is encouragement here that what we have is far greater than any that would threaten us, that it will be proven with time. The spirit of power, love and soundness of mind we’ve received will sustain us if we remain fixed on this incredible treasure we’ve been given and disregarding of what we’ve left.
As we press toward the mark before us, there can be settled confidence in who we are, what has been established in those who’ve gone before, and who we are impacting by our own devotion to ministry. Who we are in Christ and the confidence of mercy that will be ours in the Day of judgment has everything to do with these relationships with His body we’ve been gifted to care for and receive from. As such, it will not be something that is low on the list of priorities, but as we grow near to Him, this will rise high in our passion and focus. This is our higher calling.