"FEAR VS. FREEDOM"

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

2 Timothy 1:7

The Bible commands us to preach the Gospel with boldness. But if we are to serve God and let the people know about the freedom in Christ, can there be any room for fear in our hearts?

Timothy was reared in the Old Testament Scriptures, preparing Him for the Gospel. In Paul's first missionary journey, he came across Timothy, a young man from Lystra who heard the Good News and believed in Jesus Christ. When Paul returned on his second trip, he recruited Timothy into the ministry.

Timothy's training with Paul made him an effective leader, and Paul eventually sent Timothy to look after the church in Ephesus. However, that church, along with other early Christian churches, was infiltrated by false teachers. This group of fake teachers questioned Timothy's leadership, overwhelming the young pastor.

This part of Paul's letter is to address Timothy's situation and encourages him. The Apostle explains that the kind of fear Timothy is nursing does not come from the Lord. The word "fear" in this verse means "timidity, cowardice.” While Timothy's fear is real, it does not come from God. Instead of fear, God gives Timothy three essential virtues.

Power is essential to communicate the Gospel message effectively. However, it doesn't rely on a person's oratorical skills, craftiness with words, or persuasion tactics. Instead, the Holy Spirit gives believers the power to witness for Christ and serve God. One may present the Gospel as clearly as day, but without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, no listener will ever come to the Lord.

Love allows believers to serve God and people selflessly. Our service unto the Lord is meaningless unless we do it with love. If we have a burden for lost souls, we will never stop proclaiming the Good News and endure persecution. There is no place for selfishness in the Christian ministry or any other endeavor. The power and love of God enable us to sacrifice for others and overcome fear (1 John 4:18).

Self-control, which is otherwise known as "a sound mind" in other translations, refers to having a controlled and adequately prioritized mind. An effective witness of Christ knows that God always comes first. That's non-negotiable. Everything or anyone else is secondary (or tertiary). It also speaks of a person's self-discipline and having his life under control. It is made possible by applying biblical principles in one's life. The Holy Spirit enables us to not only understand God's Word but also obey it.

Timothy had no reason to be intimidated by the false teachers because he had every spiritual resource available whenever he needed it (Ephesians 1:3). All he had to do was stir it up. It's like adding more wood to an already-burning campfire. We must understand that the Holy Spirit indwells us, but He cannot fill or empower us if we neglect to keep our spiritual lives in check. Unconfessed sins, failure to study God's Word, and the absence of prayer are surefire ways to lose one's confidence in God.

You and I are not very different from Timothy. We both feel scared and discouraged when bullies try to threaten us. However, if we give in to fear, how can we be competent witnesses for our risen Lord? 

Therefore, I encourage you to have a "tight" relationship with the Holy Spirit. Through Him, you can overcome fear and exercise your freedom to share the Gospel.

Pursue the Saviour today!