Spirit of power, and of love, and of sound mind

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:  11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.  12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:7-12).

     This is Paul’s final letter before he was executed and he is trying to encourage Timothy to carryout the work of spreading the Gospel.  Our calling is truly a holy calling in that both the one who calls (God) and the purpose to that which we are called (spread the Gospel) are holy.  The spread of the Gospel leads to the salvation of souls.  This is only possible through and due to Christ.  Paul stresses the importance of knowing Christ.  Through knowing Christ we begin to understand the power that God places in our lives.   The power is of the Spirit and we utilize in love with a sound mind.