Remember Your Charge
Praying over our oldest son in 2021.
1 Tim. 1:18 - This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare…
There is something powerful and energizing when someone embarks on a new task or season of life, especially if the transition is marked by some kind of ceremony that establishes the significance of the new role being accepted.
My father began a tradition within our family of marking each son’s entrance into adulthood by hosting a rite-of-passage ceremony. It made such an impression on me that I continued the tradition, and as recently as the spring of 2021 celebrated our oldest son’s entrance into adulthood with a ceremony at our home where a number of Christian men gathered to witness and pray over the beginning of his adult life as a man of God.
Think about what Paul is calling on Timothy to remember about his commission to preach the gospel.
Prophecies: The Blessing of Expectations (1 Tim. 1:18, 4:14)
Paul was aware of a specific event where prophecies were made regarding Timothy and the kingdom work God wanted him to do. Most likely this role primarily involved the preaching and teaching of the gospel. (See Paul’s instruction for Timothy to command, teach, read and exhort in 1 Tim. 4:11-13.)
While we have not received specific prophecies regarding our work in the kingdom, every believer has been called to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), to change and grow (Eph. 4:20-24), to bear with one another (Gal. 6:2), stir one another to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25), and so much more. Every Christian has received a charge from God regarding how to use their life and circumstances to glorify God. Perhaps a salient verse for us to focus on is our calling to live worthy of the gospel of Jesus (Eph. 4:1).
Paul’s point in 1 Tim. 1:18 was to take Timothy back to the moment when he first heard the inspired prophecies regarding his life of service and how important it was to keep that in the forefront of his mind. We need to do the same and stay focused on the calling God has given us!
Commissioned: The Blessing of Accountability (1 Tim. 4:14)
Paul further reminded Timothy of the men who were present and who personally laid their hands on him as they set him to the task of his kingdom work. There is motivating power in realizing that other children of God are praying and rooting for you. We are not alone in our service to God. Each of us comes from a spiritual heritage of men and women used by God to draw us to Christ. We do not serve God in a vacuum. Ultimately we will answer to him for the service we render, but we also bear a degree of responsibility to the ones used by God to equip and commission us.
“There is motivating power in realizing that other children of God are praying and rooting for you.”
Imagine the value that every wedding guest can provide to a bride and groom in the future by gently and joyfully reminding them of the vows they witnessed during the ceremony.
Imagine how my son will be blessed during the course of his life as he recalls every man who reached out to lay hands on him around a bonfire as we prayed for his future faithfulness to God.
Gifted: The Blessing of God’s Provisions (2 Tim. 1:6-7)
More specifically, Paul reminded Timothy of the spiritual gift that was imparted to him. What a waste it would have been to allow that gift to go ignored and unused! Paul reminded him that God had graciously equipped him to do the job he had given him.
Paul was motivating Timothy to make use of the gift that they were both aware of! We need to be aware of the gifts and talents God has given each of us and make grateful use of them. And the people God has used to help equip us have the privilege and responsibility to make sure we faithfully use them.
Application:
Paul’s goal in reminding Timothy of the day he was commissioned was to motivate him to complete his task. There were other men who had rejected faith and a good conscience and made shipwreck of their faith. Their stories ended tragically. But Paul wanted a better outcome for his spiritual son.
“This steadfastness, this forthrightness, this courage, this ability to carry out one’s task—to finish well—is what Paul wished for young, shy Timothy…” (Hughes & Chapell).
To that end, Paul reminded his son of the day he received his charge, and blessed him with the renewal of God’s expectations, the accountability of those who set him to the work, and the reminder of how God had equipped him for it.
When you grow weary or distracted, may God bless you with the same.
Your brother in service,
