Three topics today: false teachers, the law and God’s gifts of mercy and grace. Let’s get right to it.
First, the false teacher. It seems that several different authors have devoted much time to identifying and ejecting the false teacher. Of course it’s key to the faith that the message remain pure, and since we are part of the message, we must remain pure as well. Our actions testify as loudly as our words, so they had better match. The false teacher were interjecting discord and doubt into the church. They had a variety of methods, but their intent seemed clear…created divisions and siphon off at least part of the church to follow them.
The Law. Paul says as long as we are obedient to the Spirit, the Law doesn’t apply to us. If we treated each other the way the Bible commands there would never be a war, or slavery, or murder. I’m going to speculate that about 80% of all unpleasantness could be immediately erased if we simply followed God’s law. sure, some would still make more money than others, but they wouldn’t “Lord” it over them. Everyone would be treated fairly,,,even if they were poor. We would still have those who are poor, but not nearly as many. And I seriously doubt that anyone would have to be hungry or not have shelter, water, clothing or basic needs met. The purpose of the Law is to identify “error” or “incorrectness” in our thoughts and actions. If we transgress the Law, then we know that we are wrong. The law cannot make us wrong or right….it simply is a yardstick, a means of letting us know where we stand. Only those who reject God’s guidance need to fear the law. Paul mentions a few of them as examples of those who don’t follow God. I think as you read thru them you may be able to spot some false teachers as well. Generally, the false teacher is someone who is saying that what God said isn’t true.
Mercy and Grace. The heart of the message lies here. Every chapter in the Bible somehow talks about it, or is busy setting up the discussion. Mercy is what God demonstrated when He forgave our sins and didn’t insist that we spend eternity in hell. Mercy says “you will not be treated in the way you deserve” And that’s good news for you and me.
Grace goes even further, and it builds on the foundation that mercy established. God’s grace says “Everything that is mine I give to you” As a believer that means that God’s power and gifts are available to us (as He distributes them). Our entrance into heaven is predicated on mercy and grace. Whatever reward awaits us is solely based on His grace.
Of course, Paul has much more to say even in the margins of this first chapter, but the main topics are clear. He wants Timothy to chart a clear path of obedience, champion Godly attributes, and cast overboard anyone who defies Christ.
Be blessed,
PR