The Gift

www.bible.com/1713/2ti.1.7.csb

Have you ever received a gift so treasured, that you keep it with you at all times? I have bought many things for myself, my cell phone, my wallet, my keys, my Emmaus cross, that I always keep on my person, as often as I can. Even when I am asleep, I keep my phone and my watch close by. But something someone else has given me, nothing comes to mind right off. I’m sure your experience is different. I just don’t get gifts like that very often.

Part of the problem is that I just have anyone that close to me. I’ll be honest, I do tend to keep everyone at arm’s length. I just don’t let very many in. My wife and my children are probably the closest human beings I let in, but even with them I keep some things to myself. Maybe its because I’m an introvert and I maintain a private world. Maybe its because some of the few times I open up a little bit, all I get is confusion in return, so why bother?

So when I am given a gift as mentioned in today’s verse, it is a profundity that I have a hard time comprehending. Paul isn’t just writing about any spirit here, but he is referring to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit isn’t afraid of anything. There is nothing in this world that scares the Holy Spirit. I’m glad he’s on our side. Note the three qualities Paul mentions: power, love, and sound judgment. The Holy Spirit, because He is God, is Power. He holds all power to do as God wishes. He is Love because God is love. And in Him is all sound judgment, because God is the Ruler and Judge of this world.

So what does this mean to us? This Spirit is God’s gift to us. When we were baptized, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the Presence of God in us. This is God dwelling in us. So that in us, God works to mature us and help us grow in faith. It is when we aren’t close to God’s presence that we feel fear. When we are close to Him, we experience the sense of His power, feel and exercise His love, and sound judgment. We could even exercise that power if the Lord so wills.

Best of all, this is a gift that you can take with you wherever you, even if everything else was taken away from you. No power on earth can take God’s Holy Spirit from you, nor His power, love or sound judgment. It is the one thing you can carry with your wherever you go.

May I encourage you to consult with the Holy Spirit today? In this age of fear, let us remember that the Spirit is about power, love, and sound judgment. We are not powerless, apathetic, or foolish. We have a voice, and it needs to be heard, because God has something to say to this dark and evil world. He is the light and we are the lampbearers.

Lord Jesus, help me today to remember who I am, what I am to do, and to do so with grace and mercy, just as you did to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.