Marsha's Musings: Stir Up the Gift that is In You (II Timothy 1:6 NKJV)

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  (II Timothy 1:6 NKJV)

Paul is most likely referring to when in Acts through the laying on of the apostle's hands the desciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This was special power that was given to those who became apostles to speak in other languages and to heal. It was a sign for the Jews that pointed to the authenticity of the Gospel and a sign to the Jewish Christians that the Gentiles would also be included in the Promises of God.

I am reminded of a verse in Romans that says the gift of God is eternal life.  Also in Ephesians it says, "Fot by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works lest any man should boast."

So, we see that for us, the gift of God is eternal life and it is by grace through faith.  That whole package is a gift of God.  Grace, faith, eternal life (salvation) --it's all a gift of God.

Paul encourages Timothy to stir up the gift that is in him and I'm sure he would say the same to us today or it wouldn't be included in Scripture for us now.

But what does it mean to stir up the gift? Does this mean it is all by our sheer strength and will power that we live the Christian life?

Well, it might sometimes FEEL like we are doing all the work, but God tells us differently.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (II Corinthians 3:4-6 NKJV)

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 NKJV)

God works in us and our sufficiency is from Him.  It's not to say that we can sit back and do nothing.  Our pastor says that God uses means. This means that we need to dig into the Word of God, be involved in a local Bible believing church and seek to obey God in all that we do.  As we avail ourselves of the means, He will provide the grace we need to live the Christian life, pleasing in His sight. This is how we stir up the gift that is in us.