Reflections from September 18, 2010

Paul's instructions to Timothy ring true today, especially in 1 Timothy 4:8,10 where Paul writes, "...but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that is now and of that which is to come. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe."

I really like that last phrase, "Savior of all men, especially of those who believe."

Paul was writing to Timothy due to his having become a young pastor in Ephesus, and the encouraging words of Paul were written to a novice. To be showing the trait of godliness here means that one is searching for the truth and the truth will always be in God's word.

So we need to ensure that what we do is profitable for God and increasing His message. That will take precedent over the short term gain of "exercise" or other worldly activities. We need to help others understand that Christ died for them, but they only get the gain if they accept Christ.

Blessings to all


Paul gives us instructions on how to deal with our christian brothers and sisters in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 where he writes, "Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, all with purity."

This instruction is extremely valuable for us today. Older generations of people often resent being told what to do by younger people, and if we look to them as "father" or "mother" there will be a certain level of respect you automatically give them, removing the possibility of resentment entering into the relationship. Likewise, if we treat our contemporaries as brothers or sisters, we give them a level of respect, and we build the relationship in a different way than if we're dealing with a stranger. As they say, blood is thicker than water, and when we foster a family style relationship with our church family, we build the relationship of trust, honor and good tidings.

Blessings to all



Paul closes out his first letter to Timothy with urging him to focus his life on Christ and says in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Paul wants Timothy to flee from evil and situations where we can be tempted to set God aside. That's good instruction to us as well. To exhort the Spirit of God and the fruits of the Spirit is a wonderful way to live our lives, and brings encouragement to everyone around us every day.

Live in Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.

Blessings to all