The Big Three

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

When you are on the front lines of a battle, you need to be prepared. You must know the plan and have your weapon ready. You need to know where to be and when to move. You must know the enemy you’re up against and be prepared to defeat him or her. The same is true in the Christian life, because you may find yourself on the front lines for Jesus.

The apostle Paul wrote several letters to Timothy, who was the young pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul wanted to encourage Timothy because Timothy was sometimes looked down on for being young and was picked on by those who didn’t like Christians. Timothy was on the front lines of service to God, and Paul wanted Timothy to realize he didn’t have to fear the mean people or be timid because God had given him everything he needed to succeed—power, love, and self-discipline. Each of those things is important on its own, but the three together are unbeatable.

There have been powerful men and women in history, but true power isn’t the ability to control others. The power Paul is talking about is the ability God gives us to love and serve others. Remember when Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room? He was God in the flesh, but he washed their feet. Jesus used his powerful position to serve and minister to others. There are people today who serve God through his power. They are building wells in poor countries, honoring Jesus on the football field, taking the gospel and medicine to remote parts of the world, organizing Bible studies, and more.

Having power to do things is good, especially if you do them out of love. Because God loved you first, you can love others. There may be people in your life who are hard to love, but as God’s princess you have his love filling you up and helping you to love others.

Self-discipline goes hand in hand with power and love. Having self-discipline means not being controlled by the temptation to do things but letting God control your desires so that you will make good choices.

Each day is an opportunity to seek out God, to ask him to show you what he wants you to do, and to rely on his power, love, and self-discipline to do it.

Can you think of some great leaders, pastors, missionaries, or athletes who live out God’s plan for them with power, love, and self-discipline? How are they changing their world? Ask God to help you make a difference too.