Morning Musings-Timothy's Commission

Morning Musings with the boys at breakfast...





Here we go talking about the apostle Paul again.  He does feature greatly in the New Testament as he wrote so much of it.  Here in the book of 1 Timothy we read of God's magnificent grace that He showed to Paul despite Paul's having been the "worst of sinners".  God gave Paul eternal life through Jesus and then entrusted a commission to him to fulfill.   Paul had been and continued to be faithful in that commission.  

Paul passed this on to Timothy by giving him the commission to help lead and guide the church at Ephesus.   We can read about this in 1 Timothy 1:12-20.  This commission came with instructions to "fight the good fight"; "hold onto faith and a "good conscience".  Timothy in turn had great integrity as he meted out his spiritual leadership. 

By contrast we see the two men Hymenaeus and Alexander who "rejected the truth"; "shipwrecked their faith"; and "blasphemed" perhaps with false doctrine and/or slander (1:3-7).  Timothy had no easy job to fight against these false teachings.  In Revelation 2:1-7 we see a description of the church of Ephesus.  In verses 2 and 3 it mentions that these two men tested the claims of the apostles.  As we can see the real enemy would be Satan who is only out to "steal, kill and/or destroy" (John 10).  But these two were found out.

The Ephesian church persevered and endured hardships for the Name of Jesus and did not grow weary.  They also hated the false teachings of the Nicolaitans.  However it is sad to see that they did lose their "first love" of Christ.  Again this is not spelled out as to the exact reason but I know that many things in life can distract us and take us away from our following after God and building our relationship with Him.  

My sons do continue to press on in your spiritual growth in Christ and keep your focus on Him.  Do not be distracted by all the "fun and games" in life.  Put your faith and hope and trust in God your Saviour; rely on Him.  Turn any disappointments in life into times of  learning from Him and what He wants you to know.  Beware also of materialism.  We can be greatly lured away from Jesus; making money and possessions our 'god' instead of God being their God.  

Also be the spiritual leader God has ordained you to be.  Learn from Paul and Timothy's example and be such among the people of God wherever God brings you to fellowship.  Pass it on to the next generation. Lead, guide and mentor by example into all truth, forsaking the false doctrines; not getting involved in malice and slander and not being distracted by 'things'.  May God get the glory and praise from your lives as you are faithful in the commission He gives you.

                                                                       ~ERC  2016~