Focus: Reject And Accept!

Text: 2Tim.1:7

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Paul tells Timothy, "God has not given us…" Paul makes us understand that God is a giver. He gives and gives and gives. He doesn't give just because He possesses infinite and boundless resources; rather He gives because it is in His nature to do so. He loves giving and enjoys it. In fact, we read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave HIS ONLY begotten SON…" God did not give a son out of many sons. Rather He gave His only son. Today God has many sons from that one son He gave. 

God is never stingy. He is stupendously liberal. James says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (Jam.1:17). There is no orbital circuit in God. Like the sun, God is constantly at Meridian, and His light shines consistently on all of us - no blinking or setting.

As much as God gives, and gives freely, fully, and finally, Paul makes Timothy understand that among other things, there is something that God had not given to us. Paul says, "God has not given us the spirit of fear…" 

God is not the source or the giver of fear. God has no fear to give to anyone. So reject that spirit of fear! Don't welcome it! Don't embrace it! Don't receive it!

Fear is of the devil. Fear incapacitates. Fear is a darkroom where doubts are developed. Fear ruins happiness and saps one of joy. Fear keeps God out of our lives, but faith welcomes Him into our lives.

Among the many things that God has given to us, Paul tells us that God has given us the spirit of power, of love, and of sound mind. These are gifts we must not reject, but freely and fully accept. Receive the gifts that God has given you. Embrace, experience and exercise them.

These gifts are powerful. They are needed gifts. They are gifts to be cherished and appreciated.

*The gift of power

*The gift of love

*The gift of sound mind

You are made rich by these three gifts. You are spiritually wealthy. Your whole life is touched and transformed by these gifts. You are adequately equipped to live the good life and fulfill your destiny. Power is God's ability to accomplish unusual things. Love is an inward disposition that sweetens all our relationships. The Holy Spirit has poured into us the love of God. Sound mind is an attitude of self-mastery, of moral discipline and of mental poise. Sound mind is the grace of sanity and sanctity. Sound mind creates tranquility, serenity and congruence.

Receive and enjoy the precious gifts of God. Use your God-given power for the common good. Love and be loved! Live a disciplined life and take charge of your destiny! Jettison fear and embrace the gifts of God! Reject fear and accept God's gifts of power, love and sound mind. Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter