“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Our new life in Jesus Christ comes with a call to tell others about God, Jesus, His love, forgiveness, the new life, and eternity. We are to be His witnesses before a world that needs Him. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Paul writes his second letter to his disciple Timothy, to encourage him about his task of leading in the church. While he is encouraging him, he also reminds him of what he has received as a believer when the Holy Spirit had come into his life. The Holy Spirit will fill us with courage. When Peter and John stood before the Sanhedrin, they noticed a difference in them. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13) Daily spending time with Jesus, and receiving the teaching from the Holy Spirit will also give us the courage we need when we tell of the difference Jesus makes in our lives.

With the courage the Spirit fills us, we will also have “power, love and self-discipline.” (1 Timothy 1:7) Paul would speak of the power when he writes to the church in Ephesus. “That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20) The power by which we live and witness in our new life is the same power that brought Jesus from the tomb. This is the redeemed life in which we live.

The Spirit will also fill us with His love. John would tell the church, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. . .. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:7, 12-13)

We also are to have self-discipline. The word translated self-discipline in the NIV, can also be translated sound mind (KJV), sound judgment (CSB), and self-control (ESV). Jesus said, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13) He also said “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31b-32) When we discipline our lives by God’s truth, taught by the Holy Spirit, He gives us a freedom to live with wisdom and good judgment.

When we live our lives in obedience to the call of God, by his grace through the Holy Spirit, we can be His witness in word and deed. May those around us be drawn to Christ through our faithfulness and courageous witness of Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block