This morning, I was thinking about Paul’s first letter to Timothy, especially how he opens by calling Timothy his beloved child (in the faith) and reminding him of his spiritual heritage through his mother and grandmother. This beautiful reminder speaks of two things: the faithfulness of the women who raised him, and the investment of the man who raised him up spiritually. On days like today (Mother’s Day), it’s important for us to consider that what we pass on to our children is more caught than taught. We pass on to those coming after us more from our habits and practices than our words. Paul constantly reminds Timothy to remember what was observed in his own life, to follow the example set before him. What example are we passing on to others? Let us, then, by the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures, seek to pass on a legacy of Faith, not merely by what we say, but by what we do and how we hold up in those times of stress and crisis by clinging to Christ Jesus, and doing so at all times.
2 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
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. 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. 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 Timothy 3:10-17
You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Comments