Focus
Close your eyes and open yourself as you relax into a peaceful state. Be willing to expose yourself for who you are as God created you to be. Breathe deeply as you prepare to hear God’s Word.
Read
Salutation
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Warning against False Teachers
3 I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different teachings 4 and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith. 5 But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 6 Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately; 9 this means understanding that the law is laid down not for the righteous but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who engage in illicit sex, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.
Reflect
As I read the scripture today, I had to do a “double-take”. Was I reading 1st century Paul and Timothy, or was I reading 21st Century church? Just like in Paul and Timothy’s day, the church still faces threats from false teachers, outside influences, cults, and the hot-button topics of the day which often hijack the gospel message. Just like Paul and Timothy, the church must still oppose false teachers who do not seek the truth or sound doctrine but rather seek their own versions of the truth. After all, it is human nature; just consider all the cults with their own “truths” in the stories of history.
But what stands out in Paul’s instructions to Timothy for me are the words “pure heart,” “good conscience”, and “sincere faith”. Are these the vibes of our church? When we seek to share the gospel message, do we share with pure hearts? Can we speak the words God has put upon our hearts to speak with a good conscience? Most of all, do we have a sincere faith in our lives?
Pray
God of truth, we come seeking the truth today. Help us to oppose the things that are contrary to your words and laws, and help us to remain focused upon you. Guide us, show us your ways, and direct our paths in the ways we should go. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Go with God!
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