FAN INTO FLAME THE GIFT OF GOD which is in you! 2 Timothy 1
Natural gifts, such as sports, music or crafts all have to developed or we might say, ‘Fanned into Flame’. We repeat them over and over until they become a part of us.
Paul opens his second letter to Timothy by once again affirming his apostleship, ‘by the will of God’. He probably knew he was writing to a wider audience than just Timothy and established his credentials at once.
3 I thank God, WHOM I SERVE, AS MY ANCESTORS DID, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.
Paul affirms that his ancestors served God, he was part of a line of believers in Yahweh.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
He next acknowledges that Timothy, who wasn’t raised a Jew, is the third generation of his family from his mother and grandmother’s side who believes in God. Many times I have asked people how they became believers and a number have said it was through their grandmother’s prayers. Perhaps Timothy was such a one.
6 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.
Paul knew that God had given Timothy a gift, because he received it when the apostle and the elders (1 Timothy 4:14) laid hands on him and prayed for him. Have we been prayed for by elders or senior Christians we know to seek God for His gifts, always for increased service? We should consider this at any age, God may want to bless us and us in new ways!
Timothy was encouraged to Fan his gift into Flame, get it burning Timothy, let people see what God has put in you. I was brought up on a small farm in N.Ireland and many times we cut hedges which bordered the fields. The hedges had to be cut and then burned and IT OFTEN TOOK TIME AND EFFORT TO GET THEM BURNING WELL, to Fan them into Flame. We may have gifts which need some work to bring them to life, but remember;
but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29
I once met a man in a house meeting called Paul, who had a call on his life to be an apostle. I’d never met him before and I’d just come from my late wife’s hospital bed. The last thing on my mind was ministering to someone, but the Lord needed this man to be up and working for his Kingdom, so I spoke to him.
He knew his calling and was very encouraged that God hadn’t finished with him and still needed him to serve.
Some of us today may feel beaten down by life’s challenges, but God would say to us, ‘Fan into Flame your gift’, whatever God has given us. He still needs you to work for Him today.
God bless and keep you today.