I MUST BE A PARTAKER
2 Timothy 1:6-9 AMP
6 That is why I remind you to fan into flame the gracious gift of God, [that inner fire—the special endowment] which is in you through the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
8 ¶ So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible],
9 for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago],
These scriptures are tugging at me today. There are so many golden nuggets to glean from these passages. The scriptures extend to us hope and an opportunity to step up and step out in faith.
The apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy. He is encouraging him to not be afraid to do the work of the Lord. He tells him, your grandmother had great faith, your mother had great faith and “l know you have great faith as well!” However, just because you have great faith, doesn’t mean you sit down and do nothing with it.
Paul reminded Timothy to “fan into flame the gracious gift of God”! In other words, that faith that is inside of you is an ember! You see the spark, you recognize that there is fire in it’s infant state but you also need to understand that I have to actively do something for this ember to become an actual flame. The ember, if not fanned, will go out!
A man found on a deserted island recognizes that fire is life. It becomes abundantly clear, very quickly, that without fire there is no food, no drinkable water and no protection in the night. Fire is critical for survival. So in desperation the task of building a fire becomes top priority. He finds two sticks and begins to rub one stick against another in hopes of getting a spark. After many attempts, perhaps even hours of trying suddenly he sees a spark. Immense relief floods over him and he now is able to relax and let the ember do it’s thing. So he folds his hands behind his head and celebrates victory. The End.
NO! NO! NO! That’s not at all what happens! Instead they frantically put their face near the ember and begin to gently blow, reaching for the tinder they already gathered in preparation of a spark. They carefully move the ember to the tinder and with great fervor fan that ember until it becomes a flame. Even then it is paramount that more wood is added to the fire and more is gathered for when the fire burns away the fuel.
I think you see where I am going with this. In order to activate the embers of our faith, it takes work. Prayer activates your faith! Reading the Bible activates your faith! Being a doer of the Word activates your faith! (James 1:23-24 23 For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like.). It’s not enough that you believe. James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. So this scripture let’s us know that the devil believes in God and literally trembles but he will never be saved. He is forever damned to hell. We can’t afford to do nothing! We must fan the ember of our faith into a flame!
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
When we believe, as the scriptures have told us, then we have the power to boldly fan the ember! God let’s us know, when we are being obedient to His word, He gives us a spirit of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. It’s the added benefits of living a Holy and separated life! God calls us to be different!
2 Corinthians 6:17 14 ¶ Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said:“I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 “So COME OUT FROM AMONG UNBELIEVERS AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord, “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor]
As much as we are called to be separate we are also called to be Holy.
1 Peter 1:14 [Live] as obedient children [of God]; do not be conformed to the evil desires which governed you in your ignorance [before you knew the requirements and transforming power of the good news regarding salvation].
15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage];
16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY (set apart), FOR I AM HOLY.”
So we are called to be separated and Holy, now we need to not be ashamed of the Gospel!
How could I ever be ashamed of the truth?!
I’m glad you asked! When you start praying every day, reading the Word and being obedient to the Word, hell will sit up and take notice! Hell will tell you being separate and Holy isn’t cool. Nobody is doing it and it will appeal to your human nature need to fit in. So we allow ourselves to hide our commitments and hide our faith in God. We tell ourselves that “we don’t really have to be so intense in our Christianity. Just tone it down a little. Leave the ember an ember, don’t do anything to fan it. A little bit of Christ is all I need!”
Hear me! When you aren’t praying, reading and obeying then hell says “They are complacent in spiritual things therefore I have them exactly where I want them. I’ll pat them on the hand and assure them all is well. The distractions of life will be enough. They won’t even notice the “bridge out” signs.”
Don’t be that kind of Christian, I promise you, it won’t end well! Eternity is way too long!
Phillipians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. To press implies work on our part!
Romans 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I must be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God!
2 Timothy 1:8 ¶ So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or about me His prisoner, but with me take your share of suffering for the gospel [continue to preach regardless of the circumstances], in accordance with the power of God [for His power is invincible],
So Paul goes on to encourage Timothy to not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, Jesus Christ and don’t be ashamed of the fact that Paul was in prison because of his faith.
The testimony of Christ is in verse 9 where Paul explains that Jesus delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago]. And Paul goes on to say I am a prisoner by choice! I choose to be an ambassador of Christ and will gladly go wherever the Lord takes me.
In all honesty, Paul was beaten, ship wrecked and put in prison because he boldly spoke the truth to his world. But in reality, God made a way for the apostle Paul to preach to every guard that he came in contact with. They literally had to change guards every hour if not sooner because he was converting them to Christ. He was able to write letters to the churches and preach to the leaders of his world because they would move him from place to place by ship. He preached in prison. He preached on the ships. He saved the whole crew of a sinking ship by listening to the voice of the Lord. God used him mightily even though Paul was being subjected to persecution. It, of course, is easier said than done but. Maybe we need to start preaching in our pain. (That was for me!)
Paul admonishes Timothy to “be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the Power of God”!
WHAT?! So Paul is really telling Timothy to willing ignore the suffering that will come when you preach the gospel!
Timothy don’t worry that you might be beaten with a cat of nine tails! Don’t worry when men shall revile you and say all manner of things against you… does that sound familiar? That’s because Jesus preached it! Matthew 5:11 (KJV) Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Great is your reward!
Timothy preach the Gospel no matter the circumstance! Willingly partake, even if it means literal beatings! Willingly partake, even if you become ship wrecked and wash up on the shore of a desert island! Willingly partake, when people slander you! Willingly partake when your friends don’t understand why you chose to stay home and pray today! Willingly partake when it cost you a few friends because you choose Jesus! Willingly partake!
As for me and my house! I CHOOSE TO BE SEPARATE AND HOLY NO MATTER THE COST!!!
Listen to me! The price we pay here on earth to be in the presence of a Holy God and to preach the gospel of truth, is minuscule compared to our heavenly reward! To be in the presence of Jesus for all of eternity is worth the cost!
I WILL PARTAKE EVEN IN AFFLICTION!
Pray: Oh God, let me be willing to pay the price! Give me courage to fan the ember of my faith into a roaring flame. Let me become desperate to be in your presence! Teach me to be, not just a hearer, but a doer of you Word! In Jesus Name I pray!
