II Timothy 1:1-18
1:1-2 Paul begins his second epistle to Timothy, teacher of this philosophical faith and wishes Timothy (and all of God's children) grace, mercy and peace. Grace, the serenity and wisdom to navigate life. Mercy, the space and time to learn and grow from the mistakes we make as we navigate. Peace, the comfort and joy required to persevere and understand in life and faith.
1:3 Paul serves (works dutifully toward justice and compassion for God and His children) with a pure conscience because he knows that his intentions and motivations are always focused in goodness and faith, humility and love. Moreover, Paul's gratitude for God is wide and brimming as He continuously answers the daily prayers Paul expresses for the people around him.
1:4 Paul wishes to be able to be with his fellow workers, like Timothy, apostles who are doing God's work (both for their own strengthening and for his own).
1:5 He is filled with joy when he considers the compassionate work that God's love and philosophy is inspiring among humanity on the earth. Timothy's genuine faith inspires and warms Paul. Finding and meeting a person who has developed their spiritual character is a blessing. Be that person.
1:6-7 Paul's emphatic reminder to Timothy is also a passionate reminder to us: be inspired, be emboldened by the potential and purpose of your own soul, given to by God. Upon receiving your trust and permission through faith, He's going to work with you to create and draw out your best self.
God's children have no need to cower in fear or worry because He upholds us with the presence and strength of love and a wise and peaceful, healthy mind.
1:8 Let your faith strengthen you against any disheartening that the conditions of the world might work to cause within you. Paul reminds Timothy that though it appears his body suffers, God protects and guides his soul as he moves through the earth on a divine mission and path.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul wrote the aforementioned verse to explain that he understands, accepts and even appreciates the sometimes tumultuous journey of life. He appreciates even the difficult times because 1) he knows he can grow in character from them 2) he perceives meaning and reason in all circumstances and 3) his struggle is a call (through a direct line) to God to enter into the situation and guide Paul through. Creation, God, however you envision the concept of divinity seeks balance and stability of the Whole. With your permission, creation is going to extend its abilities to help you restore balance in your own niche as It, you, are a part of its Whole.
1:9 God has given us this chance, this opportunity, this blessing, this classroom, this blank slate on earth without our having to earn it. We have it because we are his children. Now that we have it, life and freedom given freely, we can decide to create His qualities within us. This life we were given freely, the next life we find through the path of good works. James 2:14-26 teaches us that faith here without works is dead.
God has a purpose here and He invites us to join Him.
1:10 When we join God in His compassionate purpose, we defeat mortality because justice, wisdom, kindness and truth (Light) are eternal. When we envelop our souls and feed our souls with immortality, we will find ourselves within in after earth.
1:11-12 Paul is committed to working as a fellow with God on this compassionate purpose of life. Everything Paul endures he is honored to endure because he passionately believes in the fundamental elements of this faith. Paul's faith and trust in God is strong; he believes in the authenticity and boldness of God's love and power and in the inevitability of God's presence with His children.
1:13-14 Envelop yourself in spiritual faith... grip onto it. The love and wisdom within these words exudes the Light of our Creator and will forever hold you and remain within you. God makes you strong from within that you may make strong that which is around you. He gives the perspective and the strength that have a beautiful soul and to give and express that beauty to the earth and humanity.
1:15 The inauthentic believes dropped off at the first sign of work. God's authentic children are busy constantly being a pillar, beacon and voice for justice. If someone isn't up to this spiritual work, they turn away.
1:16-18 Those who do not turn away offer comfort and refreshment for hard-working people and Paul is grateful. What we can earn from Onesiphorus is to offer refreshment to a tired soldier of God, to offer his zealous compassion and to seek out children who need some kind of help we are able to give. Moreover we learn to support others with our faith, with the love, guidance and comfort we have become familiar with within these pages.
