Fan Into Flame Our Faith

There is an interesting theme in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, if we are willing to see it, but too often we only see how it starts and construct the rest of the message to fit what we want to hear. Hear is how Paul starts in 2 Timothy 1:5-6

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 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.”

This is a great reminder for Timothy and as we read we can be reminded to fan into flame our own gift of faith. But look at how Paul expects this to happen and ask if you are willing to take Paul’s instructions further than 2 Timothy 1:6.

2 Timothy 1:8

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”

2 Timothy 2:1 & 3

“ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus... Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 2:8-10

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

2 Timothy 3:10-12, 14

“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings - what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of...”

2 Timothy 4:5

“But you, keep your head in all situations, endue hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

It is odd how we will read Paul’s initial charge to “fan into flame” our faith and be encouraged, but be perfectly willing to ignore the rest of his instructions to Timothy. But I don’t think Paul thought it was possible to have faith increase and have it expressed passionately without enduring hardship and suffering. And I don’t think Paul was merely talking about enduring the standard hardships that just come with life, he was talking, specifically, about suffering for the sake of the gospel. He was talking about persecution for the sake of his faith, targeted persecution from people who hated the messages he was spreading. 

How willing are we to embrace all of Paul’s message to Timothy? Do we only want to read 2 Timothy 1:6 and pretend that we can develop a passionate faith without persecution? How eager are we for our faith to be fanned into a flame?