「為此我提醒你，使你將神藉我按手所給你的恩賜，再如火挑旺起來。因為神賜給我們，不是膽怯的心，乃是剛強，仁愛，謹守的心。」（提後1: 6-7）
提摩太後書的背景發生在教會剛剛建立，卻遇到羅馬帝國強權的逼迫與苦難，教會信心低落，充滿懼怕。保羅在這裡提醒提摩太，不要膽怯，而要提摩太挑旺所領受的恩賜。
1. 明白恩賜的傳承—繼承發揚
提摩太從家庭所傳承的無偽之信（提後1:5），並且藉著按手得著了恩賜與職分，表明信仰、職分與恩賜都是有傳承的。教會中按立的禮儀，乃是要確認傳道人或執事的信心與職分，因此務要謹慎，不可急促（提前5:22）。神在教會所設立不同的恩賜與職分，目的是為要成全聖徒，各盡其職，建立基督的身體，因此不可輕忽神所賜的恩賜，也不可輕忽教會的傳承。
2. 挑旺如火的恩賜—熱心服事
由於試煉與患難，曾經燃燒的愛心，曾經火熱的服事，漸漸冷淡了，因此要挑旺恩賜。挑旺恩賜是聖靈的工作，再次靠著聖靈，順著聖靈撒種，活著就是基督，死了就有益處，事奉的火焰就不會熄滅。屬靈生命需要不斷復興，不復興就會下沉低落。要尋求聖靈的幫助，追求長進，再次被聖靈的火挑旺。
3. 認識恩賜的本質—神賜給我們剛強、仁愛、謹守的心
a. 剛強的心：面對勝不過的環境，人心很容易膽怯，只要承認軟弱，尋求聖靈幫助，並以基督的心為心，相信神的同在，必能剛強壯膽。
b. 仁愛的心：就是愛神的心，與愛人如己的心。林前13:4-8講到愛是甚麼，這愛是來自於主耶穌基督，都是神所賜的。
c. 謹守的心：就是謹慎自守、儆醒禱告。不謹守、不儆醒會被魔鬼吞吃，在戰場上不能打盹。
這些心都是神所賜的，特別在新冠病毒流行期間，讓我們省察自己是否不冷不熱，靈命退後怠慢，求聖靈的火再次挑旺我們的信心、愛心與盼望，復興我們的生命，使我們真正火熱委身。
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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:5-6)
2 Timothy happened when the church had just been established, but it encountered trials and suffering from the persecution of the Roman Empire. The church was weak in faith and full of fear. Here, Paul reminded Timothy to not be timid but to fan into flame the gift of God.
1. Understand the inheritance of gifts—inherit and carry forward: The sincere faith that Timothy inherited from the family (2 Tim. 1:5) and the gifts and position through the laying on of hands show that there is a heritage of faith, position, and gifts. The ordination in the church is to confirm the faith and offices of the ministers or deacons, so be cautious and not rush (1 Tim. 5:22). The different gifts and duties set up by God in the church are for the purpose of equipping the saints for the works of service and building up the body of Christ. Therefore, the gifts given by God and the traditions of the church should not be neglected.
2. Fan into flame the gift—Serve with enthusiasm. Due to trials and tribulations, the formerly burning love and fiery service gradually become cold. So it’s necessary to fan the fire of the gift. Fanning the fire of gifts is the work of the Holy Spirit. Trust in the Holy Spirit and sow seeds in obedience to the Holy Spirit. To live is Christ and to die is gain. Then the flame of service will not go out. Our spiritual life needs revival constantly. If it is not revived, it will sink and sink. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit and pursue spiritual growth, then you may be fanned by the flame of the Spirit again.
3. Know the nature of gifts—God gives us power, love, and self-discipline
a. Power: Facing a challenging situation, the human heart easily becomes timid. As long as you admit your weakness, ask the Holy Spirit for help, think as Christ Jesus thinks, God’s presence will make you strong and courageous.
b. Love: Love God and love one another. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us what love is. This love comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and is given by God. We need to first receive the love from God and then love others as ourselves.
c. Self-discipline: We need to guard our hearts and be watchful in prayer. If you don't guard or watch, you will be easily devoured by the devil. You can't nap on the battlefield.
These are all given by God. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, let us examine whether we are lukewarm, spiritually low, and lazy. May the fire of the Holy Spirit once again inspire our faith, love and hope, and revive us, so that we may be truly committed to His mission.
～ Rev. Benguang Du 都本光牧師～
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