Paul wrote to Timothy under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to encourage him declaring that, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” The circumstances of both men were not good. Paul had been imprisoned for some time while Timothy had to face the difficulties that were arising in the church alone.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of the highest regarded pastors of the last century, explained in one of his sermons that what Paul is in effect saying is, “Timothy, you are thinking about your self and your circumstance but you seem to be doing so like you are still an ordinary person. But my son, you are not an ordinary person! The Spirit of God is in you. But you are facing these things as the person you once were, as if you are still an ordinary person.”

Turn your eyes to Jesus and take your eyes off the circumstances. The truth is that no matter what your circumstance may be it is always crucial is to know who you are and what you have been given, in Christ Jesus!

Our new life in Christ Jesus is so radically different from the old that God has declared it is a new creation, the old has gone away, the new has come. Because of what Jesus has accomplished for you on the Cross you are no longer an ordinary person and under the mastery of former things. You are an extraordinary person in Christ Jesus. Your destiny to share in the fortune and fate of Jesus.

Why then do you continue to think in the old way and in the pattern of this world?

The Bible declares that the key to our transformation is the renewing of our minds.

This means dwelling on the new realities of being in Christ Jesus, sharing in his position, his provisions and authority (the right to use his power).

This means considering what it is like to be living under the super abundant provision of grace given in Christ Jesus and to have received his gift of righteousness, and to reign in Christ’s wisdom and authority.

This means putting yourself under the overwhelming influence of the Holy Spirit.