Self-preservation

2 Timothy 1:6-7
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 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

I’m tempted a lot to be concerned with self-preservation—keeping myself looking good in front of others while preventing pain or sorrow in my life. This is an attitude of fear, and it was something that Timothy struggled with a great deal. For the sake of the gospel, we must be willing to endure hardship and suffering—to count the cost and answer the call to arms given to us by Christ our Captain. We are to forget about our own interests, stepping out in “power and love and self-control” (v. 7), our proper response to our “holy calling” (v. 9). This response is encouraged and enabled by God himself (v. 7).

How much is our faith costing us? In my case, not very much. That needs to change.