2 Timothy 1:6-9 NIV records “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. 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. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.1.6-9.NIV
God tells us through His servant Paul how we are to live this Christian life. We are to fan into flame our means for serving God. God has gifted us with talents, treasures, and people whom we are to serve in order to bring salvation and greater obedience to Christ. We are to set our opportunities on fire for building God’s kingdom. The Holy Spirit residing in us is not idle. He is powerful for making us bold, courageous, and holy for doing the work of God, which is the establishment of His kingdom upon earth as it is in heaven. We do this through obedience to the Great Commission, the mission of every Christian. Evangelism and discipleship are the terms we use today to practically execute the will of God for our lives individually and collectively as His Church. Doing this work will lead to opposition from those who oppose God and refuse to walk in obedience. We will suffer for His Name’s sake if we are consistent and persistent in declaring His Name and insistent upon obeying His ways. Blessed are those who suffer for His Name. This is our tenfold reward in heaven, for which we should greatly rejoice for being considered worthy of such a bonus from God. While we share with others the work of Christ, beginning with repentance, in order to live in holiness, we model living before all men so that our words may not be maligned due to our poor behavior. The Christian life is living like Jesus. It is seeking and saving the lost while obeying everything the Father has recorded for us in His word.
