When Our Faith Grows Cold

If your passion for God is waning, make time for His Word to restore the vitality of your relationship with Him.

2 Timothy 1:1-11 Scripture assures us that as children of God, we can never lose our salvation (John 10:27-28). However, it is possible for our spiritual excitement to diminish. Today's passage shows that even Timothy's fervor for God sometimes waned. Therefore, Paul wrote to him, encouraging the young man to fan into flame his faith.

Spiritual "cooling off" can happen to any Christian. For example, let's say tragedy or envy distracts our attention. After this happens, instead of crying out to the Lord and seeking refuge in Him, we might gradually drift away from reading the Bible. But God's Word is like wood in a fire: the flame can only stay fervent when there are logs to burn.

As less time is spent on Scripture, it can affect other aspects of our relationship with God as well. Perhaps church attendance decreases, donations become rare, and prayer, which seems outdated, is used only in emergencies. Joy, contentment, and peace can thus be replaced by anxiety, doubt, and fear.

The believer who allows himself to be led astray will miss out on the comfort and satisfaction of a close and vibrant relationship with the Lord. Remember. Is your enthusiasm for God's work stronger now? Or has it diminished? If your flame needs help to burn brightly, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to do it (John 16:13).