[642 words]
The fire began to burn low, so he got another log and put it in the fireplace. Those who wish to remain warm normally do this. Flames burn their fuel and, without additional fuel, they will go out.
Timothy needed a boost; his zeal to use God’s spiritual gift had declined. We do not know the specifics of this miraculous gift, but it had come from the Holy Spirit through Paul for a purpose. Paul gently advised Timothy, “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” (2 Timothy 1:6 ESV). While miraculous gifts are no longer available, God’s grace still endows each of us with opportunities and abilities to serve, to evangelize saints, and to show our love for God. Our Father will always provide what is needed for those who are willing to give and to serve as seen in 2 Corinthians 9:8-10. “God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever. Now He that ministers seed to the sower both ministers bread for your food and multiplies your seed sown and increases the fruits of your righteousness).” “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees and make straight paths for your feet so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13). We are not growing because we are not working!
We cannot entertain souls into the baptistery; we must teach them. We cannot mature souls with couches; we must urge them to bear their crosses. It is time to rekindle our passion for winning souls to the Lord. It is time to rekindle our pulpits with boldness, speaking as we ought to speak as Paul said in Ephesians 6:19-20, “That utterance may be given to me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in bonds that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.” It is time to challenge our young men to give their lives in the service of the Lord as Gospel preachers.
We cannot satisfy God with low expectations, half-hearted attempts, laissez-faire attitudes, dwarfed goals and mediocre ministries. We must once again fan the flame of our faith and passion to serve God. The love of God should control our hearts and constrain our spirits so that we may live for the Lord Who died for us and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). The rousing, spiritual song cries out, “Rise up, O men of God; have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength to serve the King of Kings.” “We must work the works ofHim Who sends us while it is day for the night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4).
What can we do? We can pray for God to open doors for the Word as Paul said in Colossians 4:2-4, “Continue, in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving; while l praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am i also in bonds; that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak.” We can invite the lost to our Bible classes and worship or study with them privately. Let’s go to work for l the Lord! “It is high time to awake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than we believed” (Romans 13:11).
Phil Sanders
In Search of the Lord’s Way