Embracing Perseverance and the Gifts of the Spirit

II Timothy 1:7 -2:7

II Timothy 1:7 reminds us of the strength and courage we possess through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In these challenging times, when adversity seems to surround us, it is essential to understand how perseverance and the gifts of the Spirit can guide us through the storms of life.

God had given to Timothy a charisma, a spiritual gift. Paul tells him to fan it into flame, a metaphor drawn from the fanning of the embers of a fire.  I suspect that the Holy Spirit takes virtually everything about life and “give gifts” of extraordinary ability to make that part of life an outpost of the Kingdom of God. “Fan these embers into flame.” How do we do this?

God has called me to serve him, but he doesn’t expect me to do that in my own strength. If he did, I would fail and retreat into myself. But he has given me his Spirit, And his Spirit gives me power, love, and self-discipline; all of the things I need to be an effective servant and to persevere.

When I am weak, he is strong. When I want to run and hide, he helps me to stand and face my fears and adversaries. My fears and weaknesses have not gone away, But his strength is sufficient to act in spite of my fear; when I trust him.

The use of spiritual gifts such as love, self-control, sound judgement, and spiritual power can greatly help in maintaining one’s Christianity. Here’s some ways on how each of these gifts can contribute:

I. Understanding the Power of Perseverance:

Perseverance is the quality that enables us to endure and overcome obstacles, even when the path seems difficult. In II Timothy 1:7, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy, and us, that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound judgment. These gifts empower us to face adversity boldly, trusting in the strength of our Lord.

A.  The Gift of Power:

One of the gifts mentioned in this verse is power. Acts 1:8 KJ “But ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This power is not worldly or physical strength but the spiritual strength that comes from our relationship with God. It is through this gift that we find the courage to press on, even when the world tries to discourage us. The power of the Holy Spirit enables us to rise above our circumstances, knowing that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

 Spiritual power: The spiritual power referred to here is the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through believers. It is the power that enables Christians to live out their faith, overcome challenges, and fulfill their God-given purpose. This power is manifested through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, and others. By utilizing these spiritual gifts, Christians can navigate the complexities of life, minister to others, and make a positive impact in their communities. Spiritual power strengthens believers’ resolve, provides guidance, and equips us for effective Christian living.

B. The Gift of Love:

Love is a powerful force that can sustain us during times of adversity. It is the love of God that carries us through the darkest moments, reminding us that we are not alone. Love gives us the ability to extend grace and forgiveness to others, even when they may have wronged us. It is through love that we find the strength to persevere, knowing that God’s love never fails us. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Love is the foundational Christian virtue and the greatest commandment. By practicing love towards God and others, Christians demonstrate their commitment to following Christ’s teachings. Love helps maintain one’s Christianity by fostering a genuine concern for others, promoting unity within the body of believers, and serving as a witness to the world. It enables believers to forgive, show kindness, and extend grace, even in difficult circumstances. Love also helps to combat selfishness, pride, and other negative tendencies that can hinder one’s faith.

C. The Gift of Sound Judgment:

Another gift mentioned is sound judgment or a sound mind. In the face of adversity, it is easy for our thoughts to become clouded by fear, doubt, and confusion. However, through the gift of a sound mind, the Holy Spirit provides us with clarity and wisdom. This gift enables us to make wise decisions, to discern between truth and falsehood, and to stay focused on God’s promises, even when circumstances may tempt us to waver.

D. The Gift of Self Control:  

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and plays a crucial role in maintaining one’s Christianity. It involves disciplining one’s desires, emotions, and actions according to God’s standards. By exercising self-control, Christians can resist temptations, avoid sinful behaviors, and make wise choices that align with their faith. Self-control helps to keep believers focused on their spiritual journey, preventing distractions and excesses that could lead them astray. It enables individuals to live a life of integrity, consistency, and moderation, reflecting the character of Christ.

II. Understanding the Power of Self-Control:

Self-control can be a valuable tool in helping us persevere during difficult times. Here are a few ways self-control can assist us:

A. Emotional Regulation: Self-control allows us to manage our emotions effectively. During challenging situations, it’s normal to experience a range of emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness. However, self-control helps us regulate these emotions, preventing them from overwhelming us and guiding us towards more constructive responses.

B. Decision Making: Self-control enables us to make better decisions in tough times. It helps us resist impulsive reactions and think through our options more carefully. By exercising self-control, we can avoid making hasty decisions that we may later regret and instead choose actions that are more beneficial in the long run.

C. Focus and Persistence: When facing adversity, self-control helps us stay focused on our goals and persevere through obstacles. It allows us to resist distractions and maintain our commitment to overcoming challenges. By exercising self-control, we can maintain the determination needed to push through difficult times and work towards achieving our desired outcomes.

D. Stress Management: Self-control can also aid in managing stress during bad times. By maintaining self-control, we can better regulate our stress responses and prevent them from spiraling out of control. This can help us maintain a more balanced mindset and approach challenges with a clearer perspective.

Overall, self-control empowers us to respond more effectively to adversity. It allows us to regulate our emotions, make better decisions, stay focused, and manage stress, all of which contribute to our ability to persevere and navigate through difficult times.

III. Understanding how the Power of Perseverance has Helped ME

The power of perseverance can have a profound impact on our lives. Here are a few ways it may have helped me:

A. Overcoming Challenges: Perseverance allows you to navigate through obstacles and setbacks. It has given me the strength and determination to keep going, even when faced with difficulties. By persevering, I have been able to conquer challenges that seemed insurmountable, such as academic or professional hurdles, personal hardships, or health issues.

B. Achieving Goals: Perseverance is essential in pursuing and achieving my goals. It has helped me stay focused and committed, even when progress is slow or setbacks occur. By persevering, I have accomplished significant goals: during a period of war, I planned and organized the building of 9 communities, built, organized, and equipped several clinics, schools, a hospital, and hundreds of houses for displaced people.

C. Building Resilience: Perseverance builds resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It helped me develop a mindset that views setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. By persevering, we can cultivate resilience, which enables each of us to face future challenges with greater strength and adaptability.

D. Overcoming Fear and Failure: Perseverance allowed me to confront fear and failure head-on. It gave me the courage to continue pushing forward despite the fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty. By persevering, I may have taken risks, learned from failures, and grown stronger as a result. Since we started the Honduran Education Project, every year, about this time, I am often overcome by the fear that there will not be sufficient money to hire high school teachers, or pay for student travel, or pay for the cost of schooling students from Gotas de Sangre.  But so far, the funds have always been there.

E. Inspiring Others: Our perseverance can inspire and motivate others around us. When we demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of challenges, we become a role models for others. Our examples can encourage and empower those around you to persevere in their own lives. As an example, surrounding Gotas de Sangre are others small communities who are now sending their students to the public school in Gotas. Where before there was a school of 80, now that school has grown to 225, students studying in high school, and now students in college.  

Overall, the power of perseverance has likely played a significant role in your life by helping you overcome challenges, achieve goals, build resilience, confront fear and failure, and inspire others. It is a valuable quality that contributes to personal growth, success, and resilience in the face of adversity.

IV. Conclusion:

As we reflect on II Timothy 1:7, let us remember that perseverance is not something we achieve on our own. It is a gift from God, bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit through the gifts of power, love, sound judgment, and self control. In times of adversity, let us lean into these gifts, trusting that God’s strength is sufficient and His love is unwavering. May we be encouraged to continue pressing forward, knowing that with God by our side, we can endure and overcome any obstacle that comes our way.  1 Peter 4:10 NIV “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that empower us to persevere in the face of adversity. Strengthen us with your power, fill us with your love, and grant us a sound mind to navigate the challenges that lie ahead. May we always find our hope and courage in you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Additional Note

I also think it notable that Paul refers to his ancestors and to Timothy’s mother and grandmother. For Paul, this was not perseverance of following Christ, but of something else.  Maybe his Jewish heritage? In II Timothy 1:3, Paul indeed mentions his ancestors. While they may not have been Christian, Paul is likely referring to his Jewish heritage and the faith of his ancestors in God. As a devout Jewish Pharisee before his conversion to Christianity, Paul would have been familiar with his ancestral faith and the stories of God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people throughout history. So, when Paul mentions his ancestors in this context, he is acknowledging the spiritual heritage and foundation upon which his own faith in Christ is built. It serves as a reminder that even though his ancestors may not have known Jesus as the Messiah, their faith in God and their experiences with Him have shaped Paul’s understanding and commitment to the Gospel message.

In II Timothy 1:5, Paul mentions Timothy’s mother and grandmother and their faith. Paul is likely referring to the influence and example of Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, in passing down their faith in Jesus Christ to Timothy. It is believed that Timothy’s mother and grandmother were early converts to Christianity, and they played a significant role in nurturing Timothy’s own faith and teaching him the Scriptures from a young age.

By reminding Timothy of his mother and grandmother’s faith, Paul is encouraging Timothy to remember the strong spiritual foundation he has received from them. He is emphasizing the importance of continuing in the faith that was instilled in him from his family, and to draw strength and inspiration from their example.

This passage also highlights the significance of generational faith and the impact that parents and grandparents can have on the spiritual development of their children and grandchildren. It serves as a reminder to honor and appreciate the faith heritage that has been passed down to us and to continue to pass it on to future generations.