November 2, 2023 - 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy is one of those Pauline letters that has such a personal touch to it. He is writing to young Timothy. He appears to know Timothy’s family well: “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” (1:5). Salvation is never simply inherited as a family matter, from parent to child. But there is a sense in which it is passed down from generation to generation in a family. In a family in which the gospel is prioritized and talked about, where godly parents and grandparents show Christ to children and grandchildren, and where children and grandchildren are taken to gather with the saints, there God works to soften little hearts and enlighten little minds. Thank the Lord for godly parents and grandparents!

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers’ arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today. --Martin Rinkart (1636)