…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
I discovered one day a skill I did not know I had. I was in the seventh grade, and my classmates were trying to determine who would take what part in our silly re-enactment of Monty Python’s Holy Grail. I wanted to be King Arthur. We decided to have sword fights, and the winners got to choose the role they wanted. And while I was not coordinated, physically skillful, or experienced at swordplay, I won. Somehow I was able to wield my yardstick with more accuracy and abandon than John, Chip, Jerry, Dave, David, Davey, or even Mike.
I had a secret skill of swashbuckling.
But you and I have a better secret skill.
We know very well that we are unable to be sinless. It has appropriately been driven into our hearts and heads that we cannot improve ourselves, act righteously, or obey. We need Christ’s obedience to count as ours. Both on the cross, to make us right in God’s eyes, and daily, to make us robed in Jesus’ holiness, it is CHRIST who is sinless on our behalf.
But our adoption into the family of our big brother unlocks skills within our mind, heart, and body. We have, now, the power, motivation, and ability to act in righteousness. We can do the right thing. Yes, still tainted by sin. But we… can… do… the… right… thing.
I know, it seems confusing. But it is also an answer to fear.
Paul tells Timothy that Timothy can combat fear by self-control.
Paul isn’t telling Timothy to stand on his own two feet. He isn’t telling Timothy that he can do whatever he sets his mind to. Paul isn’t telling Timothy to try harder.
Paul is telling Timothy, in the light of the REST of Paul’s full-of-grace teaching, that Timothy has the skill of self-control. Paul is telling Timothy that he can’t ease through life not caring about rightness… because Timothy has the skill of choosing to control his sinful nature, and doing the right thing.
Of course, this skill is really still Jesus Christ… Christ empowers Timothy, enables Timothy, skeletons Timothy, and gives Timothy even the very foundational desire to do the right thing.
But the skill is there. Timothy can count on having self-control.
And you can insert YOUR name in every place I wrote ‘Timothy’ above.
And this is an answer to fear.
By this time, we know we don’t have any reason to fear. Our minds understand that God is Sovereign, so why fear? Our hearts love the comfort of resting beneath His wings instead of huddling in a corner. Our souls can be at rest in God’s almighty and all-comforting arms.
But we still fear.
If you are still afraid because you think you can’t help it, remember you have self-control. If you are still afraid because you think you are still powerless to lift your eyes to His, remember that you have self-control. If you are still afraid because you think you are caught in the slimy grip of your sinful nature, remember that you have self-control.
Paul does not intend this as an added brick on the wall of your guilt. He is not saying, “Not only are you afraid but it is YOUR fault, because you aren’t controlling your self!” He is actually reminding you that Jesus provides a way around that wall, through that wall, and over that wall. He’s not so much saying, “YOU MUST!” as he is urging, smiling, warmly and affectionately, “You can!”
Fear not, because you HAVE self-control.