1 TIMOTHY (Letter 54, Larry Crabb’s 66 Love Letters)
GUARD THE TRUTH; IT IS YOUR LIFELINE TO REAL CHURCH
We are called to guard His truth. If in this uncertain world we risk everything on what we know to be true, we will finish well. We will impact others. We will strengthen His church. We will fight the good fight. All this will happen but only if we risk everything on His Son’s return.
For many people today, His truth has been watered down into principles for making this life more comfortable and satisfying, either circumstantially or spiritually. Churches that make it their mission to teach people how to relieve stress, avoid difficulties, enjoy tension-
free relationships, and feel spiritual promote a form of godliness that has no power to keep still-sinful people loving well in this still- disappointing world.
We are not yet spiritually resurrected into a sinless existence, into a struggle-free life where things always go well, into the full joy we will know when we see His Son. Until then, guard the truth that has the power to keep us turned toward Him, persevering in love and waiting in hope – the truth that makes possible a new way to live as an imperfect person in an imperfect world.
1Timothy 3:16 says the following:
Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.
His Spirit will provide the wisdom to conduct ourself well in His household, in His church. It’s all in this letter:
how to recognize error; to pray; to honor the uniqueness of men and women; to select spiritual leaders; to minister to widows, leaders, and slaves; to handle money; to fight for the truth like a soldier in battle [1:18]; and to run toward truth like an athlete in a race [6:12].
“After enduring whatever troubles life may bring, if we have faithfully guarded the truth, we will leave this world with the enjoyment of anticipation. Charles Simeon, after steady opposition from the church he faithfully pastored in Britain for nearly fifty years, was asked on his deathbed in October 1836 what he was thinking. Having faithfully guarded the truth of his sinfulness and God Son’s grace for so many years, he replied, ‘I don’t think now. I am enjoying.’
1 TIMOTHY: From Ray Stedman
Click here for entire Bible Summary from Ray Stedman
to be completed
1 TIMOTHY – David Jeremiah (Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible)
Key thought: God’s church should be led with excellence by leaders who possess wisdom and integrity.
Key Verse: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1st Timothy 6:12
Key Action: We must conduct ourselves wisely in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (see 1sr Timothy 4:15).