Somebody Loves You

TUESDAY March 4, 2025

A Charge to Commitment

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare having faith and a good conscience....
1 Timothy 1:18-19

Once again, Paul gave a charge to Timothy––his son in the faith. The word charge is a command––a military term. He commanded Timothy to keep a high standard of commitment in the ministry. The word commit literally means “to place beside the command.” It can also refer to a proclamation of spiritual teaching. Paul saw the importance to exhort Timothy to be committed in teaching the truth about Jesus Christ. As a teacher, he had the responsibility of never watering down the Word of God. He should speak boldly, without any fear.

Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy, because he was so young, would never be deviate from the truth of the Gospel. He pointed his young prodigy to stand upon the things that had already been given to him by the Holy Spirit––according to the prophecies previously made concerning you.... The elders had laid hands on Timothy, and inspired by the Holy Spirit, prophecy was given to reveal that God had a special call to be fulfilled in his life. This did not mean things would be easy; you have to count the cost of following Jesus.

There are Christians who “come under fire” from nonbelieving family and friends. Sharing their faith has a risk––losing them. Under these circumstances, fear can creep in and stop them from sharing their faith, but the Bible tells us: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). When God gives you opportunities to share your faith, share without fear.

However, I have found that the best way to witness to family and friends is to live the Gospel before them. Why not show them the love of Christ in everything you do?

The true ground of most men's prejudice against the Christian doctrine is because they have no mind to obey it.
~John Tillotson~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!