Every study I try to write a weekly letter to my girls in the notes portion of our #LoveGodGreatly journals. For me, it’s a way of going back over what God taught me in His Word the previous week, as well as an exercise in summarizing what I learned and what I want to pass on to my girls. Reading through 1st & 2nd Timothy – letters written by Paul to his younger spiritual son, Timothy – reminds me of the type of letters I write to my girls. Like Paul, I first try to share words of love and encouragement with them as I reflect on the verses from the previous week. I share some of the wisdom I’ve learned over the years and remind them that they are never alone on their journeys of faith.
My heart of love and my desire to pass on wisdom and instruction to my girls is the same as the love and desire Paul had for Timothy when he wrote these letters thousands of years ago.
As we begin our study on the books of 1st & 2nd Timothy, pay attention to the purpose and audience of these letters. Written by Paul, a spiritual father to the young Timothy, these letters were written to encourage him, build him up, teach him, instruct him, and give him hope. 1st & 2nd Timothy are books filled with powerful insight on how to live in the light of the gospel. In these letters, you will witness the tenderness of Paul’s words to the younger man. You’ll see the warnings, advice, and encouragement Paul gives to Timothy… the same advice that he gives us today.
It’s important to see the culture in which Timothy found himself leading his struggling church. Ephesus was one of the major cities in the Roman empire. Like New York, San Francisco, or Washington DC, Ephesus was a center for commerce, politics, and various pagan religions.
It was also a city plagued with false teachers.
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work- which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.- 1 Timothy 1:3-6
One of the first warnings Paul gives Timothy is to keep the main thing the main thing. In other words, focus on the Good News of salvation which can only be found in Jesus Christ. How many times have we found ourselves in debates or pointiness theological arguments which don’t have any purpose and are more opinion or speculation than truth? These types of debates cause division and strife rather than faith and love in God. Paul warns Timothy to not get involved in these meaningless debates that lead people astray instead of bringing them to Jesus. Rather, Paul directs Timothy back to Truth; back to the purpose and light of the gospel. He directs Timothy back to love that comes from a pure heart and sincere faith.
And thousands of years later, he directs us back as well.
Stay focused on what truly matters in this life. Don’t get sidetracked in divisive conversations that Satan can use to get us off track. We have a mission here: people are hurting and need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must make the most of each day.
Sweet friends, let’s heed the words of Paul and be women so focused on the gospel and Jesus’ saving grace that the temptation to indulge in pointless, fruitless debates no longer distracts us. May we be women on a mission, laser focused on one goal: to live our lives for God’s glory. Lives that are characterized by Christ’s love. Lives intentionally seeking only one thing… to make Him known.
My prayer for us is this: that we will love well from pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faith.
There is a world dying to know more about the hope we carry in our hearts. Let’s choose to be a light in a dark world and not be tempted to indulge in meaningless debates that waste our time and don’t glorify God. Sometimes instead of engaging in meaningless debates, we need to let our lives speak louder than our words. People can’t argue with changed lives.
Remember: you are loved, you are treasured, and you have a mission. Let’s do this!
Love God Greatly!