"When I set out for Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to teach different doctrines, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm" (1 Tim., ch. 1, v. 3-7*).
Scripture assures us that as God's children we will never lose our salvation (John, ch. 10, v. 27-28). However, it is possible for our spiritual fervor to diminish. Today's passage reveals that even Timothy sometimes lost his zeal for God. That's why Apostle Paul writes to him, encouraging the young man to rekindle the flame of faith.
Every Christian can experience spiritual "cooling." Let's say, for example, a tragedy or a sense of envy diverts our attention. Then, instead of calling out to God and finding refuge in Him, we might gradually neglect reading His Word. However, it is like wood in a fireplace: the fire can only be sustained if there is fuel. The less time we spend with the Bible, the more aspects of our relationship with God may be affected. We might reduce our church attendance, give less often, and resort to prayer only in emergencies. In this way, joy, contentment, and peace will be replaced by anxiety, doubt, and fear.
A believer who allows themselves to grow cold loses the comfort and satisfaction that come from close, living relationships with God. Think again: is your excitement about God's matters stronger at the moment? Or has it decreased? If your fire needs to burn more intensely, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how this can happen (John, ch. 16, v. 13).
Link to the original article: https://www.intouchuk.org/read/daily-devotions/when-our-faith-cools?queryId=8b54d9da6a09797af38320d31b35bff8&objectId=27924_1
* Biblical quotations are from Bible, New Translation from Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013