From
2 Timothy 1:7 we see that power, love and a sound mind is actually a
spirit the Lord has given. And it seems to me, that this qualifies
for what I have described as a trinity (lower case t - see earlier
blogs). A trinities (lower case t) has three characteristics,
unity in diversity, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts,
and there is an interrelationship between the parts. That power love
and a spund mind is a unity, is seen from the grammar “… not
given a spirit of fear, but (a spirit) of power, love and sound
mind.” That there is diversity (differences) is obvious. Let’s
look at what happens if we don't hold them all together in unity.
I
am sure we can all think of examples of those who have power, but
not love, or power without knowledge. And I’m sure no one would say
that that was of the Lord. And what about knowledge (a sound mind)
without love? Well Paul tells us that if he has knowledge without
love, then he is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). In fact, love seems to
be the glue that holds this trinity together. They say that power
corrupts, but I want to suggest that it only corrupts if it’s
disconnected from love. So God gives power and love together, to
help us avoid corruption. But given our propensity to rationalize
what we want to do (Jeremiah 17:9), we will not know when the power
we seek exercise is corrupt, unless we have a sound mind!
So
we have looked at love and power, and power and a sound mind, so what
about love and a sound mind. Well husbands are commanded to love
their wives (Ephesians 5:25), and husbands are commanded to dwell
with them according to knowledge (with a sound mind 1 Peter 3:7). As
we have seen, a sound mind is a transformed mind, a steadfast mind
and a still mind. A selfish mind, is none of these things, and of
course, at some level we are all selfish. Selfishness is incompatible
with love (1 Corinthians 13:5). Though the Biblical term “to know
his wife” is most often associated with carnal knowledge, and while
it includes that, it is so much more. In fact the idea of one flesh,
is really talking about union in body soul and spirit. And we cannot
truly love somebody if we do not get to know their needs, their hurts
and their foibles, and then love and honour them in spite of it all.
Surly this is at least part of what it means to love according to
knowledge.
Father
in this trinity, the whole is certainly greater than the sum of the
parts. When we exercise power in love and out of a sound mind, we
are essentially imitating Jesus. The gift of a spirit of power, love
and a sound mind does of course need to be received, and stirred up
(2 Timothy 1:6). As with a threefold chord that is not easily broken,
there is a strengthening that takes place when asking love power and
a sound mind as a unity. I am seeing Lord that our power is increased
when it is exercised out of love and knowledge that comes out of a
sound mind. In this way we know more clearly the authority You have
given us. And so we can more easily step into it. And I thank You
for these things this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen
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