Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek
27 October 2025
Reading From II Timothy 1
“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
—II Timothy 1:3-7
I am proud of my godly heritage. It is my conviction that Jesus wants me to apply the golden rule to all people, not just living ones who I have immediate contact with. I am to do unto others as I would have them do unto me and this applies to historical figures, celebrities, political figures; all people means all people, as I learned in I Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” We cannot pick and choose who to love and who to pray for. I am to show my love for God by my love for others.
My family has lived on the North American continent for over 400 years. Some of my ancestors lived lives that were by and large godly, others did not. All of them made mistakes, some grievous ones. Several of my kinfolk made significant contributions at pivotal moments in the history of these United States. I love my family. Does that mean I agree with everything they did? No. Does it mean everything they did was right? No. Neither did Paul’s ancestors the Hebrews. I am called to use discernment and test the spirits.[1] Hate what is evil, but I am also to cling to what is good.[2] Acknowledge and learn from the bad, but it is proper to celebrate the good.[3] I identify with Timothy because I began serving the Lord at a young age and two of the most vital mentors in my discipleship have been my Grandma and Mom. I thank God for my heritage in Him.
For Timothy, the first ones in his family line to trust in Jesus were his grandma and mother. Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to use a beautiful phrase here to describe salvation. He speaks of these precious family members as having faith dwell in them. This same faith that dwelt in Lois, Eunice and Timothy dwells within me and this same faith dwells within you if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Faith is a wondrous power that grows and strengthens as we are tested and choose to cling to the promises of God regardless of what challenges we walk through. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Stand firmly upon the Truth of Christ and His Word. He is trustworthy, tried and true; a foundation which can never be shaken.
The gift of God which Timothy received by the laying on of Paul’s hands was a spiritual impartation. Jesus laid hands on people as He blessed them[4] and healed them.[5] In the book of Acts, the original deacons were ordained and part of that was that the hands of the apostles there were laid upon them.[6] We also see the laying on of hands in praying for individuals to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the mighty Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and sometimes He uses men and women to pray for His children to receive this gift, laying their hands upon those who are seeking Him and His outpouring of power and passion for service in the Kingdom. We see this in Acts 8:14-17 when new believers had not yet had this endowment subsequent to their new birth, but received it when Peter and John laid their hands on them. I believe that the gift Paul refers to in II Timothy 1:6 is the baptism with the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts and fruit Timothy has operating in his life.
Our relationship with Jesus is a partnership with the Holy Spirit. Our spiritual life must be actively nourished and cultivated. The part of the individual is to simply surrender his or her will to God, submit to His authority in their life, and then yield to the work of the Spirit in them and through them. God does the rest. God does the work. We must guard the spiritual treasures God has placed within us. Later Paul says in 1:12b-14, “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
Jesus is able to guard our salvation, our spiritual life, but we are also told to guard it. Jesus protects and keeps us, but we also must choose to do so. He told us in John 15:9-12, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” This is active, not passive. We are to fan into flame the gift of God. Salvation is an event (the new birth), a process (spiritual growth and sanctification), and a goal (glorification). All three must be a reality in our lives in order for salvation to be made complete.
The commands of Jesus were given through Him during His earthly ministry and also through the ancient prophets and apostles. These sound words were codified as the Scriptures we now know and love, the Word of God which brings light and life to all the world, illumination available to whosoever would believe. These sound words of doctrine form a marvelous, harmonious tapestry of knowledge and wisdom, a systematic theology characterized by perfect balance and continuity. How do we remain in His love? How do we guard the deposit given to us? The faith and love of Christ, even Christ Himself dwells within all of us by His Spirit and He inspires and empowers us to obey His commands and so remain in His love, continue and grow in the faith, and endure to the end.
“Loving and gracious Heavenly Father, may Your Word dwell within our hearts richly by faith in Your trustworthy promises. Your promises reveal to Your adopted sons and daughters our identity, community and destiny in Your eternal family. Guide us forward in faith. Guide us into all truth by Your Spirit. Show us how to put Your commands into practice in our lives. Change this world around us for the better with the light of Your truth and the warmth of Your love. Help us to glorify You in all that we think, say and do. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray these things. Amen.”
But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
—Matthew 24:13
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
—Revelation 2:10
[1] I John 4:1
[2] Romans 12:9
[3] Philippians 4:8
[4] Mark 10:16
[5] Luke 4:40
[6] Acts 6:6
Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God 
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