Y is for Young Timothy
1Timothy 1:2- "Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord."
The Apostle Paul ministered to many people and wrote many very specific letters that are included in the New Testament, but some of his most prominent personal writings were directed to young Timothy, Paul's "son in the faith".
We can learn some interesting things about Timothy by searching through the Scriptures. We know that he had an interesting spiritual background, in that his mother was a Jewish believer and his father was Greek.
Acts 16:1-3 "Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek"
Timothy's spiritual heritage can be traced back to his mother and grandmother, godly women who instilled faith in young Timothy.
2 Timothy 1:5- "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also"
Throughout the New Testament, we see how Timothy accompanied Paul on various missionary journeys to the churches, and had a wonderful testimony of faithfulness and dedication to the cause of Christ. He was "well reported of" and had a good reputation among the believers. Paul encouraged Timothy to be a godly example, and assured him that by doing so, people would not disregard him just because he was young.
1Timothy 4:12- "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
By reading through the New Testament, we are able to see how Timothy overcame many difficult circumstances in his youth, and was a godly example of a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. He leaves a wonderful example to young people all throughout history that they too, can be a faithful servant and follow Christ with their whole hearts, and that young people can be some of the greatest examples of Christianity in action. They don't have to wait until they are 'all grown up'.
Like Timothy, I want to serve God by giving Him the best years of my life - my youth. When I grow old, I want to encourage the young people in my life and pass on my faith to them, like the mother and grandmother of Timothy did.
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