A Thought for the week
Week of January 18
 
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:7-8
 
I talk often about the allure of power in the world and how the church can easily be tempted by it. A passage like this can be easily used as a proof text that the church should use power, but the power here is different. It is God’s power not our own. It is cupped with love and self-discipline. Finally, this power brings not control but suffering of the faith. All of these things are opposite of the world’s power. We don’t live by the power of our own making but by God’s power.