Power of Love
W. Birch. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Some time ago a poor fellow, who had been in penal servitude many years, came back to Manchester. He called on an old friend, a teacher of a ragged school, and in course of conversation said, "Can you tell me where Mr. Wright lives?" The teacher replied, "Did you know Mr. Wright?" The man answered "Yes; after I was sent to prison I was hardened; I cursed God, and the judge and jury; I cursed myself, and I cursed the prison; and in my rage I tried to commit suicide; but that day Mr. Wright came into my cell, and knelt down and prayed for me. I would not kneel at first; but when I saw the old gentleman kneel down, and saw his tears trickling down his cheeks, I could not help myself, and I also knelt down and prayed; and that day I gave God my heart. When I came out of prison, I made up my mind to seek him and thank him for his kindness to me." The teacher said, "Ah, my friend, Mr. Wright has been dead a long time." The converted thief exclaimed, "Dead! Mr. Wright dead!" The teacher said, "Yes, he is dead; but the same Spirit which prompted him to kneel down in your cell is in a Person whom I know, who can bless you in every time of need." He exclaimed, "Please tell me his name?" The teacher said, "is name is Jesus Christ." (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. WEB: For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.