1 Timothy 1:1-17 ~ to the ages of ages. Amen.

Jesus was going to Heaven to see Joseph, too. It was God's Plan Joseph was not on earth during the ministry of Jesus. Kindness to Joseph. Turbulent.

1 Timothy 1:1-17

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

² To Timothy, my true child in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, ⁴ nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship ^{[good order]} from God that is by faith. ⁵ The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

⁸ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹ understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers,liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound ^[healthy] doctrine, ¹¹ in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Jesus Christ Came to Save Sinners !!!!!

¹² I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³ though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. ¹⁷ To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever ^{[to the ages of ages]} Amen. 

 

Bibles should come with a like button. FB needs a Meh button. This particular passage is especially cheering after returning from a regular check-up doctors visit. And better yet when it is heard orally. I was coaxed into reading the Scriptures each day at the age of 16. The words and idea - God writing me a letter poured into me. So, I've read the Bible each day. And I have to say, I find it uplifting almost always. Except for the those days when I'm learning I have to improve. But even that is uplifting when done in love. There isn't a loving parent in the world who doesn't lovingly correct a child. John Birch, Open to God, The Methodist Church in Britain. wrote such a beautiful commentary on 1 Timothy 1:1-17 - I'm going to have to borrow it:

This week's theme: The Pastoral Heart

 

Monday 13th February 2012

1 Timothy 1:1-17

"The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example of those who would believe in him for eternal life." (vv. 15-16)

Background

Paul knew where he had come from. Here was the arch-enemy of the Church, transformed into arguably its most influential voice and evangelist. He remembered well the cruelty he had shown to Christians he pursued with such vigour. It's difficult to overestimate the brutality of Saul (as he was then), as by his own admission he was a very violent man (verse 13). After his Damascus road experience everything changed (Acts 9). Interestingly it is the patience of Jesus that Paul was so thankful for. Despite the damage he had done to the fledgling Church, Jesus had a plan for his Paul's life which he had to pinch himself at times to comprehend. Paul saw his experience as an example of how great was God's patience and grace. He offered up his life as an example of a pattern that others might see in their own lives. If someone like Paul could be loved and used by God then there was hope for all of humankind! Paul didn't claim to have chosen Christ. It was Christ who chose him at the point he was throwing his life away, and he was forever thankful that Christ not only chose him, but trusted and appointed him to be his ambassador (verse 12). There is much within this passage which speaks of the value of all human beings. The early Christians were wary of Paul when he came to them not as a persecutor, but as servant and teacher (Acts 9:21). It was the presence and power of God's Spirit in his life, and the love he showed that convinced them he was on their side! This is a timely reminder not to write anyone off as being beyond redemption, and also not to underestimate the grace and power of God to transform a life that is lost, into a life of service.

To Ponder

a) How often do you give thanks for the work of grace that God has done in your life and that of your Christian friends?

b) Have you ever written someone off as 'beyond redemption'? Is so, what does Paul's story say to you?

c) God calls all kinds of people to a life of service or ministry. Have you ever considered the possibility that he might be calling you? And what might that be?

 

 

 

I love John Newton's (Amazing Grace) paraphrased saying - “I am not the man I ought to be, I am not the man I wish to be, and I am not the man I hope to be, but by the grace of God, I am not the man I used to be.” 

 

Today I am grateful for this Timothy letter.... it was written for me. And for you. I've loved the Timothy letters for so long, we had a great cat we called T.C. - Timothy Cat. Amazing love. This unconditional love is what God gives us. In Abundance. 

 

Read the letter again, you are God's Timothy.   <><