1 Timothy 1

Paul’s letters to Timothy (and to Titus) differ from his earlier letters, in that he wrote them to individuals instead of writing to churches; specifically, to pastors to guide and encourage them. We can learn from them as well; as mature believers, we should be leaders within our churches, whether or not we have any specific title office of leadership.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, …” (verse 1)

As best I know, this is the only time Paul referred to his apostleship as a “command”. I don’t know why he used a different phrase here, but the thought that comes to my mind is that, anytime God presents us with an opportunity or an appointment, we really should see it as a command. What’s the difference? When God presents me with an unbelieving neighbor who’s curious about my faith, the difference between opportunity and command is too minor to be worth consideration. What God makes possible for me to do, I should simply do.

“remain at Ephesus…” (verse 3) Apparently, Timothy had communicated his desire to join Paul, his beloved mentor, but Paul had work for him to do in Ephesus. Perhaps one of the most important was to “charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine”. Without constant vigilance, it’s far too easy to wander away from God’s Word and begin teaching our own thoughts, our own speculations, our own ideas. Pastors and elders need to be on guard against such a temptation in every church!

Apparently, some folks at Ephesus liked to “devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (v. 4). Oh, how we love to hear ourselves talk! We need to occasionally hear a voice out of the clouds, reminding us “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35) This is why I believe the best way to study the Bible is to simply read the text, discern what God wants to teach me through it, and ask myself how I will apply it to my life. Books about Biblical topics can be a good supplement, but they will never take the place of God’s own words.

Paul knew that Ephasus had a problem with people “desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding …” (v. 7). So do we. That is why it was necessary for James to write “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) Personally, I confess that at times as a less-mature Christian, I wanted to be a teacher. No more. I now understand the responsibility carried by teachers, and fear to join their ranks.

“the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient” (v. 9) Paul got into a brief discussion (verses 8-11) of “the law”, which for him meant the Judaic Law, or Old Testament as we call it. He didn’t really mean that the law doesn’t apply to the just, but rather that the penalties of the law are to warn and discipline the un-just.

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, …” (v. 12) Paul is thankful for being given his ministry, despite his past. This is an important principle for us: being “faithful” as Paul referred to himself, does not mean living without sin. It means being constantly striving in the right direction, and depending upon Jesus for His grace and mercy when we do fall short (and we will!). Paul considered himself the “foremost” of sinners (v. 15), but consider all that God accomplished through his work!

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!” (v. 15) As Paul reminded Timothy of the primary message and mission of the church, so should we be reminded to remain focused on this central and most important truth. This is a most opportune season to renew our own message and mission, to carry the good news to our neighbors, our community, an our world …

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!”

2 Thessalonians 3

Paul has two major points to cover in this chapter, and we’ll quote significant verses as we cover each. The first point we want to examine is Paul’s admonition to those who would live off the generosity of others.

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

Paul’s not going easy on these folks! It seems, according to most commentators, that some of the Thessalonians had confused the concept that Jesus could return at any time with the belief that He would return quickly – so quickly that they just quit their jobs and sat by daily, waiting. Two thousand years later, we still see people doing that.

I’m especially familiar with verse 10 in this passage: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” My mother quoted that one to me frequently, when I was having difficulty with motivation for my chores!

Let’s not get ourselves confused over this passage, either. Paul is NOT talking about people with an inability to work. Those with an illness or infirmity preventing them from fully caring for themselves need our help, and our Lord encourages us to help those in genuine need. Paul is only writing here about those who have chosen dependency over honest work.

Paul’s second point, and the one I really want to focus upon today, is about prayer:

“Finally, brothers, pray for us …” (verse 1)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (verse 16)

Paul both seeks prayer for himself and his partners in ministry, and prays for the beloved Thessalonian church. He expresses his total dependency upon God, through prayer, and encourages his brothers in Christ to live in the same manner.

The question that brings to mind is this: What part of your life are you trying to live on your own strength, your own wisdom and in your own guidance?

If you’re running a business, are you seeking God’s guidance daily to guide your decisions and guard your heart?

If you’re married, are you asking God’s help daily to show you how to love your spouse more effectively and completely; to be the spouse he/she needs you to be?

If you’re struggling with an addition or a sinful habit, are you trying to overcome that fault in your own strength?

Whatever your struggle to overcome or your goal to achieve may be, Paul would encourage you to address it with God on your side, carrying your burdens to him daily in prayer. That’s not just in 2 Thessalonians. Paul asked for prayers for his ministry in 2 Corinthians 1:11, Colossians 4:3, and in his first letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter 5 verse 25.

If Paul, an appointed apostle of Christ, found himself so dependent on prayer, it’s reasonable to think that I could benefit from more dependency upon prayer in my life. Maybe you could also.

You might find this book to be a help and encouragement in strengthening your prayer life: A Praying Life, by Paul E. Miller.

1 Thessalonians 2

“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive.” (1 Thessalonians 2:3)

Suggested: read all of chapter 2.

In this chapter Paul discusses his ministry in founding the Thessalonian church, and it may be instructive to see what he reveals about his approach to teaching.

Paul first talks about the background of his coming to the city, and how that, in spite of all the harsh treatment he had suffered in Phillipi, he “had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict” (v. 2). This leads me to question my own boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Do I really teach as if I’m bringing good news?

Paul continues with what his teaching did NOT contain: no error, no impurity, no intent to deceive. How does that compare to our own approach to teaching the gospel? Do we attempt to tie up naysayers in logical knots, or find slick ways to slide the Word in under the door? Do we use scare tactics of fire and brimstone? Or, do we simply present God’s word as Paul did, in a manner pleasing to God, and let His Word do its own work in human hearts? Do we trust God to know whom He has elected, and to prepare their hearts to respond to Him? We have His assurance in Isaiah 55:10-11 that His Word will accomplish what He has set out for it to do. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.“

Paul make the claim in these verses that “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel“. How was Paul approved? How can you and I be approved to be God’s ambassador to the lost? Paul answers that question in his second letter to Timothy. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV) You may be more familiar with the wording of other translations, which use words like “study” (KJV), “work hard” (NLT), “make every effort” (Berean), or “be diligent” (NASB). However we translate it, there’s work involved. I must ask myself here, am I doing the work? What more could I be doing?

Before I close, I want to focus a moment on Paul’s final phrase in verse 13: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” The Word of God is not a text of facts which we are to simply know. It’s not a story to simply be believed as an intellectual acceptance of fact. The Word of God should constantly be at work within us!

How is this possible? God’s Word is to be known, yes, but it needs to be the subject of constant meditation. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” (Joshua 1:8)

Jesus’ disciples go beyond meditation; God’s Word is where they live (abide). “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” (John 8:31) True disciples can’t get through the day without the Word of God, both directing and motivating their daily lives.

That’s what we’re attempting to do in this blog; to abide in the Word, by examining it closely for lessons to be learned, and applying it to how we live each day. If the Word of God does not change how we think, how we feel, how we live and how we interact, do we have any legitimate claim to be Jesus’ disciples?

Philippians 1:1-11

We begin a new book today, the last letter Paul wrote to a church or group of people. His following letters were written to individuals, Titus and Timothy.

Paul’s visit to Phillipi and his experiences there are recorded in Acts 16. Although a number of people were saved there and added to the Church, not all of Paul’s experiences would be regarded by most of us as positive. One of Paul’s converts was his jailer!

As Paul begins his letter, he sets a tone of joy which will continue consistently throughout his message to his church in Phillipi, which was his first church in Europe. He begins with “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (v. 3). Warren Wiersbe asks a most thought-provoking question: Could our pastors, or elders, say the same of us? Is my life, I would ask, and my expression of my faith, such that a church leader could be thankful for it?

In the next verse, Paul reveals that he consistently prays for the believers in Phillipi. Am I following Paul’s example and praying for the believers in my circle of contacts, expressing my joy in their faithfulness? I believe most of us could learn quite a lot by studying Paul’s prayers.

Paul goes on to express his certainty that “… he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (v. 6) What is that “good work”? Again, I’ll echo a thought from Dr. Wierbe:

God’s work for us is salvation.
God’s work in us is sanctification.
God’s work through us is service.

Has God begun a good work in you by saving you? “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 Are you allowing God to work in you to grow you into His likeness, or are you resisting change? Finally, are you allowing Him to work through you to serve others in His name? Are you praying for additional opportunities for sacrificial service?

Paul continues in verse 7 to reveal that his unity with the Philippians is not limited to a unity of mind, but also an emotional unity; “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace …” In addition to sharing the same beliefs, he shared with them also the same grace, and the same Holy Spirit. Does it stir your heart in a special way to be gathered together with believers who share your faith and your gift of grace?

Working as I did for a while as a traveling consultant, I had the opportunity to attend Wednesday worship with churches I would otherwise have never encountered. I had the blessing to experience first-hand the welcome and extraordinary fellowship with Christians I had only just met, because of our shared faith and blessings of grace and salvation.

In verse 9, Paul prays for the continued growth in their love for one another: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” As we mature in our Christian walk, our love should grow, as should our knowledge of God’s Word and our good judgement in applying it to our daily living.

The result of that growth is that we may “approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless”. What does it mean to “approve what is excellent”? The Contemporary English Version translates this as “make the right choices”. That’s probably as good a translation as we’ll ever see. Making the right choices will guide us into a pure and blameless life. Making the right choices is what “sanctification” is all about.

It has been said that one learns to make the right choices by making lots of wrong choices! That’s one way to do it, but it’s the painful way. Another way to do it is to marinate oneself in God’s Word, be constant in prayer, and always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The result will be the judgement and will to make good choices, and hopefully fewer scars and wounds from learning the hard way.

Finally, Paul prays that the Philippians may be “filled with the fruit of righteousness”. That’s my prayer for you as well!