One of the most important things that we can do as Christians is offered here, and we often read right over it.
That great privilege is prayer. Not just asking but thanking God in our conversation with Him. Make no mistake about this all important point: prayer changes things.
Here in the United States we are enticed to take a side in politics. Often we become so polarized that we begin to hate the person we aren’t voting for. That can make it very hard to pray for a president that you didn’t vote for! But the prayers of God’s people are what shape the fortunes of a nation, and influence the decisions of a leader. This applies locally as well as nationally. If you find yourself at odds with the leadership in your local church, pray for them. Pray with seriousness and intentionality. Ask God to direct and guide them, and then follow their lead as long as it doesn’t violate Scriptural principles. God will bless you for your sacrifice.
This chapter is building on the idea that Timothy should train the people to love one another and resist false teachings. It’s easy to get “lost in the weeds” when discussing the topics of women not teaching, or dressing “modestly”. While both of those things had value in Paul’s day, they are simply a means to an end. Don’t create controversy and quarrels within the church that will bring division. Plead your case within the boundaries of loving community.
Can anyone argue that “clothes don’t make the man” (or woman)? True beauty doesn’t come from clothing or jewelry. I’m not saying that the fairer sex should quit making themselves look beautiful, I rather enjoy their efforts. I am saying that we need to keep it in perspective, and not allow our makeovers to take the place of priority, which is the transformation of the heart. Nothing is more beautiful than that in all God’s creation.
Should women teach? Of course. But, in our age, not in Paul’s. If women were to teach in Paul’s day then it would have created too much controversy and division. To be fair, there are some who point out that our rush to include women as equals in the marketplace has created a significant loss in the home. It is possible in our haste to appear fair and equal we actually created a larger problem than we had before. What if all men decided to stay home with the children (along with mom…not instead of her)? Industry would soon close and we would suffer. It’s possible that very thing has happened to our families as we encouraged mothers to work outside the home. Our real mistake may have been in not realizing how important to our society having mom at home truly was.
Perhaps Paul’s instruction to Timothy is not meant to suppress, but to create health and wellness, and a sound family. That’s worth considering isn’t it?
Thinking aloud.
PR