God is Love
"To Timothy, my dearly beloved son ..." (2 Tim. 1:2)
This opening address to Timothy reminded me very much of the words I use to
address a birthday or personal greetings card. It is direct but personal and
using the word 'To' evokes to my mind affection from either a close friend or
family. Although Timothy was not connected biologically God, had brought them
together in the new Family of God. Paul's usage of the term 'dearly beloved'
strengthens the familiarity and love between them. How Timothy must have
rejoiced in his heart over such a welcome! I know I do when I receive a card
addressed to me from someone I love. Not only that, Paul used Timothy's name.
This to me is very important and brings acknowledgement of identity. Identity is
so important. God is very interested in identity. He made each of us original,
and we are special. Very special indeed.
Our identity is shown to be important by God: "I will praise thee; for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works: and that my soul
knowest right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in
secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth: (Psalm
139:14-15)
Yes our identity is wrought by God in secret and as David writes further: "Thine
eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members
were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of
them". (Ps. 139:16)
Now you see, God knows our hearts and our hurts because back in 2001, I was
living in a flat with my daughter, a single mum. Times were hard and a vicar of
a church gave me the autobiography of John Wesley. Now John Wesley, unbeknown to
me, started the revival in Cornwall. I had moved down from a big city in the UK
to escape, literally, for my life, some very troublesome family and ex-husband.
When I came to Cornwall I was far away from the Lord. God drew me back though
after some 10 years. There was much rejoicing in heaven. I know. I felt it!!
Here in Cornwall I came across, for the first time, a denomination called
Methodism. Now, before I write any further, I am not into denominations. I have
been to every type of church there is and I have found the same fundamental
flaws in each of them. There is no perfect church, and lets face it, there will
be no denominations in heaven.
Anyway I was given this autobiograhy of John Wesley and in the preface at the
beginning my eyes caught two words: 'little jacky'. John Wesley, the famous
preacher and revivalist, had the same name as me it was his nick name. I think
seeds were sown then of what God had in store for me. God still sees me as Jacky
with a Y, as that is my original spelling.
Focusing on identity and how God sees us. This is important because Gods Word is
the only Truth and the only Truth we should listen too. His love is perfect. I
opened up to Isaiah 62 I came across this scripture and it so touched my heart.
(just these few verses I'd like to share): "For Zion's sake will I not hold
my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness
thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou
shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou
shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in
the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy
land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy
land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For
as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the
bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee."
When Paul wrote to Timothy he wrote with a humble heart from God. God was
writing to Timothy in love and this is shown by using the word beloved. Only a
heart dedicated to God who is Love could write like this.
Have you ever written a love letter and looked at the choice of words you use?
As the book of 1 John says: "God is Love." This was Paul writing to his brother,
son, family. (even though adopted into God's family).
We see Paul openly speek with confidence to Timothy in the first verse stating
his authority as Gods spokesperson, thus giving Timothy assurance and a
guarantee that he could be trusted and that he was genuine. Then, secondly, Paul
was then able to speak to Timothy from his heart and say through those words
'To Timothy my beloved son". Thus any fear was relinquinshed. In Christ
Jesus they were related and their common bond of unity was love.
Jesus says in John 15:12: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another,
as I have loved you"
Jacqui Julyan
31st October 2007
Cornwall, England
JannJulyan@gmail.com