Fifty weeks ago we began reading the New Testament. In just two weeks we will have completed this journey. In our study of the Gospel of John we noted that Jesus often turned to the Psalms for his prayers and on May 1 we will begin a new journey through the Book of Psalms. In the concluding weeks of this study we will read Paul’s Pastoral Letters and the Epistles of John. Today we begin with 1 Timothy 1.
Timothy was the Apostle Paul’s protégé and served as pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul was writing to encourage Timothy and to give him instructions regarding prayer, worship and the proper administration of the church. Paul makes two points in chapter one that serve as a foundation for all of our work together in the life of the church.
The first part of the foundation is in verse five where Paul states the purpose of Christian education is that “all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” Paul is pointing us toward new life in Christ as he did in Philippians 2:5 when he urged us to let “our bearings with one another arise out of our life in Christ.” The goal of a Christian is loftier than just gaining information about Jesus, or even to be inspired by Jesus’ life. Our goal is to allow Jesus to transform our lives so that we become like Him.
The second part of the foundation is worship. Everything we do in the church should result in worship. Beginning in verse 10, notice how Paul’s instructions so easily flow into expressing gratitude for God’s mercy, which leads to Paul sharing a portion of his own testimony. This section ends in verse 17 with such a worshipful statement that Walter Chalmers Smith was inspired to write the great hymn, “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”:
Immortal, invisible,
God only wise,
In light inaccessible
hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious,
the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious,
Thy great Name we praise.
Could it be that every Bible Study class, every work day at the church, every fellowship dinner could conclude with praise and thanksgiving and worship? Is such a goal reasonable or I am I just being naive?
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
Reading for 11-Apr-12 1 Tim. 2:1-15
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