The Prince, The King, The Saviour
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
When I worked in the youth home there were some moments that could have become scary for many of us. I think that one of the things that made me avoid the fear is that one of the other staff that often worked with me was “J”. A 6’ 3” man who had two black belts. Most nights I worked, he was with me, as were a few different staff who are much bigger than I. It is easy to let go of fear when you have the biggest people with you.
Paul speaks to Timothy about fear. We have the Spirit of God with us. Why be afraid? He calls us. He walks with us. He makes and keeps his promises to us. And Paul writes this as he sits in prison for the gospel. This is the confidence that takes us from seeing Jesus as the Prince of Peace, who restores things to the way they are meant to be, to coming to our final week of Advent where we see that this child who will be born is also the King of kings. No one can stand against him.
This is why when Paul sits in prison for the gospel he can say: Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.