“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Tag Archives: 1 Timothy
1 Timothy 4-5
Paul exhorts his readers to “train yourself for godliness…as it hold promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” This is something we each must do for ourselves. Although we can help each other, ultimately the similarity of our character to God’s character depends on our own thoughts and actions.
Just as Timothy was to be “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” to the believers, we should do the same. “We have our hope set on the living God“, a God whose “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear“. In this we can find great confidence and reassurance.
Joshua 8, 1 Timothy 1-3
Paul writes to Timothy, his “true child in the faith”, to guide and encourage him as his faith developed. He reminds Timonthy of the work of Jesus, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”, of whom Paul considered himself to be chief. Fortunately, “God…desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” We can feel discouraged when sin affects our relationship with God, but we can also have confidence to turn again to God, knowing that He wants to have a relationship with us.
Paul describes this struggle against sin as a warfare, “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”, a battle that requires constant effort and long-term endurance. As God said to Joshua, “do not fear and do not be dismayed.” God is with us as we grow and develop.
“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Let us work together to develop this love, knowing that we can have “great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”