When’s the last time you wrote a letter? Letter writing as an art has sadly gone by the wayside. However, the bible’s full of God’s love letters to us, his beloved saints. Paul’s writing to Timothy in 1 and 11 Timothy to instruct, to give warnings, and to share God’s grace.
[Tweet “And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ” 1 Tim. 1:14″]
In verse 5 of 1 Timothy we see the goal for Timothy that Paul had for him. Beloved, do you have a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith? What does it mean to have a pure heart? Basically, we need Jesus as our Savior. There is no way to God except through the son, Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can have a clear conscience by confessing our sins according to 1 John 1:9. A sincere or genuine faith involves confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is the true doctrine that we need to defend. Seems simple but this true doctrine changed my life.
[Tweet “Accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior changed my life, will you ask Jesus to be your Savior?”]
Paul instructs Timothy on the glory of God and his grace in verses 12-17. Paul shares his testimony of who he was to emphasis how great God is and that if God can use him he can use others to spread the good news that Jesus is the son of God. This section in verse 17 shares the attributes God is King eternal, immortal, invisible. to God who alone is wise.”
[Tweet “God is King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God alone is wise, Praise God”]
Paul warns Timothy to fight the good fight. He illustrates this by telling Timothy not to let anything get in the way of his faith. There will be warfare. Some of the believers shipwrecked and fell away from the faith. Beloved, we need to prepare for warfare by putting on the armor of God everyday. Paul declares to Timothy in chapter one that God is good and we prove God’s goodness by having a pure heart and a genuine faith in God.
The last time I wrote a letter was this week. Recently I moved to Fort Cobb, Oklahoma and I have left several friends behind and even though we text it wasn’t enough so I wrote her a letter. I will be studying chapter 2 of 1 Timothy next week so I will write my impressions next week from that chapter.
What is meant by “sound doctrine”?
What is meant by gospel?
Who is the giver of grace, mercy and peace?
In verse 7, what were the teacher’s lacking?
What is another name for the law they were misusing?
Father God, I praise you that you are King eternal, immortal, invisible, you alone are wise, you are God. Paul writes he is the chief of sinners and I could do the same. Thank you Lord for saving my soul, forgiving me. I was a Christian when I walked away and sinned by making poor choices. Lord you were Lord of my heart and wouldn’t let me stay away. Your word says that when we draw near to you, you draw near to us. That when we confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins. It took me a long time to believe I was forgiven but I know that I’m forgiven. God by saving us through Jesus you give us grace, mercy and peace. Lord I pray for the woman who has a child with ADD or ADHD or autism. Give her the patience to answer each question and the energy to stay up with their energy level. Lord I pray for the woman who has had an affair or who has a husband that has cheated on her. Lord I pray for those in Texas affected by the flood. I ask that you meet their needs physically, spiritually, and financially. Lord I pray for the woman struggling with financial difficulties for the one who has adult children unemployed or physically unable to work. Protect all of us your children Lord. Let us put on the full armor of God daily. Thank you Lord for meeting our needs and for being our King. In Jesus name, Amen. I love you Lord.
