I
have always loved the story of Lois and Eunice. These two women had a witness
and testimony that became a legacy in Timothy. They had a testimony of
unfeigned faith that was recognized by others who knew them. They are
mentioned by Paul when he wrote to Timothy and in Acts when Paul went to Derbe
and Lystra. Paul preached and they became believers. We know that his mother was a Jew, and his father
was a Greek. It is believed that his father
may have died when Timothy was young, and his mother and grandmother raised
him. They may have endured some
hardships and loss, but faith grew in them so much that others knew their faith
by how they lived.
When I call to remembrance
the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy
mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee
also.
2 Timothy 1:5
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple
was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and
believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the
brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:1-2
Paul was impressed by Timothy and that he had been taught from a
child the word of God by his mother and grandmother. These women left an
impression on Paul and Timothy. They had a testimony of faith that caused
others to notice.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast
been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2
Timothy 3:14-15
Lois means agreeable
Eunice means good victory
Timothy means honoring God or precious
to God
I do believe the a good name is rather
to be chosen that great riches as I tells us in Proverbs 22:1. Lois and Eunice
have a good name. That is a good reputation. Not only do their names have great
meanings, but they also had a testimony that brought about influence on others
in a good way. Others became believers and were impressed by the faith they
held. We know that Paul advised Timothy to be an
example of a believer.
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,
in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1
Timothy 4:12
Timothy
had some great examples to look to and here, Paul is telling him to continue in
faith and be an example as well.
I look at
these two women and the lesson they teach. We need to be an example to the believers
and non-believers in our faith. They
stood firm in the face of all trials. We don’t know much about them but we know
of their faith.
Scripture
tells us about faith. We have Hebrews chapter 11 that lists many great examples
of faith. But the first two verses say:
Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For
by it the elders obtained a good report.
There
is a good report or testimony for those that demonstrate faith. We can see in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith
it is impossible to please God. I want
to have a testimony of faith that is pleasing to God. How can I develop my faith into great faith,
unfeigned, sincere faith like these women and others have had?
Dive
into the Word. Become a
student of the word of God. His word tells us about God, his character, who he
is. It tells us how to live, how trust, and reasons for following him.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2
Timothy 2:15
Take
your unbelief to God. As the father in Mark
9:24 said: And straightway the father of the child cried out, and
said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Ask God to help you with doubt and fear. Ask
God to help you believe that he is, he can, and he will.
Pray. There are so many scriptures on prayer. Praying is communion and
communication with God, It is listening and talking with the Savior. He becomes
your best friend as you develop relationship with him. Without prayer, we do
not have a relationship with him. It is a lifeline and how we can learn more of
him as well has learn to recognize and hear his voice when he speaks to our
hearts.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for
all saints; Ephesians 6:18
Exercise
your faith. James wrote about faith needing to be demonstrated.
He knew that faith without action is dead. Believing should bring about action
not because the action saves us but because it is faith in action. Faith is
demonstrated not by talking about it, but by acting upon it.
Yea,
a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy
works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James 2:18.
Faith
exercised bring more strength and more faith. Faith will grow as it is exercised. I want to rejoice as Paul did when he said in
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as
it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of
every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
That
growth only comes from practice and continued use. We gain skills and become
experts by practice. Practice of faith is the same. Faith will be gained and grow
when we put it into practice.
Complete
surrender to or trust in God. Without trust or complete surrender, we may
not reach the potential of faith that God has for us. We cannot fully trust him
if we are not completely given to him.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James
4:7-8
We
need to be able to run to God with every situation and every concern. We need
to know that we can cast our cares on him because he cares. (1 Peter 5:7) We
should not fear or doubt that he is able and willing to meet every need. He is
able to establish us and carry us through every valley, mountain, trial and
temptation. He is the God of the impossible. For with God, all things are possible.
(Mark 10:27) God will not fail. He is faithful.
We can grow in faith as we learn his Word and exercise the faith we
have. Romans 12:3 says we have all be given a measure of faith. We can take that faith and grow into unusual, unfeigned, sincere faith that becomes a testimony. We can leave a legacy
of faith to the next generation as Lois and Eunice did. We can inspire faith as
all the heroes of faith did in Hebrews chapter 11. We can grow faith that is
unwavering, unstoppable and brings about powerful works that only God can do.
