Page 26 - January 2025 - Truth & Tidings

nly one man in the New Testa- Christian life. This life is not the special
ment is called a “man of God.” province of an elite group of believers –
OThe man with that distinction is missionaries, evangelists, overseers and
Timothy. No doubt his mother and grand- the occasional Sunday school teacher. A
mother played some part in that. They are life of faith, a life where faith is at home,
mentioned directly in one verse of Scrip- is a life that is lived in obedience to what
ture, 2 Timothy 1:5, and by implication God has revealed to me in His Word.
in 2 Timothy 3:15. Think of the profound All the examples of faith in Hebrews 11
effect they had on the life of Timothy and, chronicle individuals who moved based
through him, on the assemblies in the on a “report,” or a message, from God. It
first century. It is their faith and not their might be the report that Rahab heard, or
wardrobe which brings commendation the warning given to Noah. It could be the
from the Holy Spirit. promise God gave to the Israelites as they

Their Faith Was Demonstrable marched around Jericho, or His instruc-
tions to Moses at the Red Sea. Men and
The faith that marked Timothy’s grand- women heard God’s Word and moved in
mother and mother was “unfeigned,” obedience. The Spirit of God labels this
genuine and real. It was not tucked away as “faith.”
safely in the closet and marked “for emer-
gency use only.” It was evident by their Their Faith Was Determinative
lives that their faith was genuine. The faith that was at home in the hearts
Faith moves on the truth of the Word of of Lois and Eunice was a faith that con-
God and its promises. God promises that trolled every decision, settled every prob-
He will always do the best for each of His lem, and gave direction to every issue that
children. A mother who raises her family arose in their lives. Faith is operative in
according to the principles of Scripture everyday life. It relates to those decisions
raises her children by faith, and thus is that control the direction and character of
living by faith. This marked this godly my life as they are controlled by the prin-
mother. The wisdom and Word of God ciples of the Word of God. Faith reigning
controlled her motherhood. means that it entertains no rivals. It does
not look to convenience, expediency or
Their Faith Dwelt personal benefit. It always asks, What does
Paul recognised that this faith dwelt first the Word of God say?
in Timothy’s grandmother and then in his
mother, Eunice. The word for “dwelt” Their Faith Was Duplicated
suggests being “at home.” Faith was ab- This faith was found in Timothy’s
solutely at home in the hearts of these two grandmother Lois first. It was then seen
great women. in his mother Eunice. Finally, it marked
Is faith at home in my heart, or is it an Timothy as well. When Paul came to Lys-
occasional visitor? For faith to be at home tra (Act 16), Timothy was “well reported
means I must be comfortable with a life of of by the brethren.” He had a good tes-
faith and recognize it as the norm for the timony; his faith was solid and genuine.

26 TRUTH kTidings January 2025