Courage for Christian Living

GOLDEN TEXT: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” —II Timothy 1:7

II TIMOTHY 1:3-14

THE Christian way of living is narrow and difficult. It is a way of separation from the world and of the sacrifice of human aims and ambitions. Courage and strength is therefore required in order not to become “weary in well-doing.” This strength is supplied by the Lord, and for our every time of need. This is why we can “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”—Eph. 6:10

Paul’s second letter to Timothy—of which our lesson is a part—was written from prison in Rome where the apostle was awaiting execution. In this letter he urges Timothy to visit him. For Timothy to do this would be placing his own life in danger, as it would indicate his support of Paul and the Christian cause for which Paul stood and because of which he was to be put to death. Many forsook the apostle under these circumstances, but he felt sure Timothy would not.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear,” Paul wrote. “The fear of man bringeth a snare.” (Prov. 29:25) Because some did fear, they forfeited the glorious opportunity to stand by and comfort Paul in his time of need, and quite possibly also lost the truth.

Instead, the Lord gives his people the spirit of power, of strength, of courage in the face of danger. This “power” stems from the promises of God. They that wait on the Lord have their strength renewed. They mount up on wings as the eagles. They are able to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint. (Isa. 40:31) Not only does God promise to give strength unto his people; all who have put their trust in him can testify to his faithfulness in fulfilling these promises.

The Lord also gives his people the spirit of love. This too is done largely through his Word. In his Word God’s own love is revealed through his divine plan for the blessing of all the families of the earth. It was his love that prompted him to give his Son to be our Redeemer and Savior. It was Jesus’ love that led him to lay down his life in order that we might live. These examples of love should give us the vision of love which will prompt us also to lay down our lives in acceptance of the opportunity to be planted together in the likeness of Jesus’ death.—Rom. 6:5

It was the spirit of love which had taken Paul to prison, and ultimately to his death, in Rome. Love would prompt Timothy to risk his life in order to visit and encourage the beloved apostle. And in carrying out this mission Paul knew that the Lord would give Timothy the needed courage and strength—the “spirit of power.”

The Lord also gives his people “the spirit of a sound mind.” The mind which is sound according to Christian standards is one which is guided by the will of God, although such a mind may often seem quite unsound according to human standards. When Jesus announced his intention of surrendering to his enemies in Jerusalem and allowing them to put him to death, Peter thought such a course to be very unwise and said, “Be it far from thee, Lord.”—Matt. 16:22

But Jesus replied, “Thou savorest not the things that be of God.” (Matt. 16:23) Peter was expressing a human viewpoint, but the divine viewpoint was, “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:25) The Holy Spirit had given Jesus a “sound mind” in this matter, and he was given strength to do the Heavenly Father’s will.

Paul had a similar experience. It had been made known to him that “bonds and afflictions” awaited him at Jerusalem. (Acts 20:23) The brethren pleaded with him not to go to Jerusalem, reasoning that it would be very unwise p hazard his life in this manner. But Paul exercised the “spirit of a sound mind” and went to Jerusalem, declaring in advance that he was willing not only to be bound, but even to die.

In Romans 12:1 Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service.” Worldly wisdom insists that to sacrifice one’s life in the service of God is very unreasonable, and that those who do so are foolish, unsound of mind. But according to biblical standards such sacrificial service is “reasonable.”

Because God gives his people the spirit of power, and of love and of a sound mind, Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God, who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling.”

The Christian’s soundness of mind in laying down his life in sacrifice can be appreciated in the light of the glory to which it leads. We are partakers of a “holy calling,” a calling to heavenly glory and to the divine nature. It is only if we “lose” our lives now in the service of the Lord that we may hope to gain that heavenly reward in the “first resurrection.”

QUESTIONS

Explain the setting of this lesson.

Should Christians fear death?

How does God give us strength?

What is the true motive for the service of God?

What is a “sound mind” according to Christian standards?

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