“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5)
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all mothers and grandmothers were evangelists? Many Christians were raised in families that practiced other religions and did not have Timothy’s advantage of a godly, believing mother or grandmother. Timothy’s father apparently was not a Christian, but we only know that he was Greek and did not encourage his son to be circumcised as a Jew when he was young. (Acts 16:1-3) But clearly Lois and Eunice taught Timothy from the Old Testament, the “sacred writings” (3:15), and then God used them to bring him to faith in Jesus Christ. Timothy’s Messianic understanding of the Old Testament was one of his primary weapons against the false teachers, who were misinterpreting the Scriptures. (1 Timothy 1:6-7)
John Gill makes this helpful comment about Timothy’s faith: “Now when the same faith is said to dwell, first in his grandmother, and in his mother, and in him, this is not to be understood as if this grace was conveyed from one to another by natural generation; for grace comes not that way, only sin; men are not born of blood, but of God; but the sense is, that the same like precious faith was obtained by one, as by another. This was a rich family mercy, and deserved special notice, as being a thing uncommon, and required a particular thanksgiving; and is designed as a motive and encouragement to stir up Timothy to the exercise of that grace, and every other gift God had bestowed upon him, as in the following verse.” [“…fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”] * Too many professing Christians today still believe that they have been born into their faith, as a Jew is born into the religion, but this is impossible, since God, the Holy Spirit alone regenerates hearts and saves souls.
Today, as we worship together in Church, in the family of Christ, it is a time to strengthen our faith to witness to our biological families. Since nuclear and extended families are important to the Lord, let us not think that family relations are out of date or a thing of the past. God is immutable, and his Word is our authority. So whether our grandparents, parents, siblings, or children are believers or unbelievers, we are called to share what we believe at the proper time for their good and for the sake of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
How will your family benefit from your worship today?
* John Gill’s Exposition on the Whole Bible, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/2-timothy-3.html
Divine Wisdom for Daily Living by Joanne Colvin 