05/06/2024
“Kindle afresh the gift of God that is in you...” Thank you, Brian LaRue,Jr.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6,7) The gift of God that has been deposited in us is the limitless life of Christ Himself. This is the work and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of those of us who have turned to Jesus in faith. Just as it is written: “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
This gift of life within us is often hindered through fear. Indeed “faith works through love” (Galatians 5:6) and “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Where there is fear, there is a lack of the experience of the love of God. Where we do not know of His love, we lack the faith to walk in His life. Much fruitfulness is buried in the tomb of fear. But “perfect love casts out fear.”
This is why the Psalmist says: “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)
The expression of the gift of God through us is according to His calling, not simply our preferences. For “He saved us and called us with a holy calling... according to His own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:8)
God’s call upon our lives is so holy and glorious that “all of creation is waiting eagerly for that day when God will reveal who His children really are.” (Romans 8:19) We are told plainly that “He died so that they who live would no longer live for themselves but for Him...” (2 Corinthians 5:15), so we walk in our gift as “stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10)
Thus, our victory in our call is not based upon us, but upon Him who called us. The Lord said: “You are my servant. I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look around you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:9,10)
And for where we doubt, He again assures us: “Al
l things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
