1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, 2to Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day 4longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.
6For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, 9who 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 times eternal, 10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. 11For this I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For this cause I also suffer these things.
Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
13Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
15This you know, that all who are in Asia turned away from me, of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16May the Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain, 17but when he was in Rome, he sought me diligently and found me 18(the Lord grant to him to find the Lord’s mercy in that day); and in how many things he served at Ephesus, you know very well.
Have No Fear
Angel Holding a Fear Not Sign
When Paul the Apostle wrote the young pastor Timothy, he told him, “7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) I have heard it said that there are approximately 365 times in the Bible when we are told not to fear. That’s a verse about fear for every day of the year. Fear is real. One of my congregants spent much time in Alcoholics Anonymous, and he related to me that attendees are taught that F.E.A.R. stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real”. Friend, there is much truth in that. My own father used to tell me repeatedly, “There is no room for fear in the heart of the believer.” Isn’t it curious that even when angels appeared to tell mankind of the greatest news of all, that a Savior who was the Messiah had been born, a warning shot was given that they shouldn’t fear this news.
We, too, must take these verses concerning fear to heart. God has given us so much great news that we must learn it, believe it, and fully integrate it into our hearts and lives. Fear paralyzes. When a person is afraid, they can do nothing. They will never accomplish anything. I used to tell my children if you say nothing and do nothing, you’ll be nothing. People refrain from saying and doing things much of the time out of fear. They are afraid of ridicule, rejection, or being made to look the fool. Don’t be afraid. Accept God’s good news for your life. He has told you that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that is a promise He made to us as His followers. “27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 WEB) Walk today in faith and not in fear. That’s good news!