Engage 1 (1 Timothy)

Engage

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 
from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, 
understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

A few weeks back i was invited to a ladies meeting.
The speaker highlighted something that from conversations I realise we are all concerned about.
Compromise and false teachings in the name of Christ.
Christ followers willing to accept that which is not in the Bible or doctor the Word to suite whatever.
In our country many are led into cults and made to do unspeakable things even commit suicide in the name of Christ.

Paul writes to Timothy to address this kind of problem.
For the next few weeks I thought we would spend time studying the letters written to Timothy together,
So that we also would not fall into the trap of presenting a gospel that is false.
That we also would know when we are presented with false doctrines.

1Timothy Chapter 1: 3-4

Paul reminds Timothy why he asked him to stay on in Ephesus.
False doctrine, myths and endless genealogies; these lead to empty speculations and people loose interest in what the Father has planned.
The Fathers plan is that we would operate only on faith in Him. He calls on Timothy to be vigilant and therefore we are also called to be vigilant.
Christ followers shall live by faith, faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word. Our faith grows in knowing and loving His Word and our vigilance.
If we dont know His Word how can we know when what is said contradicts the Word.
I am reminded of Romans 12 where we are urged to offer our bodies to our Lord and in the next verse we are urged to renew our minds with His Word,
and not be conformed to this world.
This clearly means that what our faith cannot be of this world, Christ challenged the world view of the time and still does today.
What gospel are we representing, is it so influenced by the time we live in that it has no effect.


Know the Word, love the Word and we will be vigilant and see anykind of falsehood.
I also believe we will be better carriers of the gospel for our faith will be based on only Him and thus true and pure.

Tomorrow we will continue chewing on the letter to Timothy.