Tag: God

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 6:3-19 (day two)
…who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. vs. 5

It’s a despicable thought, isn’t it? That someone would seek to profit from being Godly. But how far are we from this? Have you ever heard someone use their religious affiliation to gain some kind of upper hand? It is not uncommon, particularly in politics, for someone to use their connection to the church to somehow relate to the “faith” community. I’ve been a part of interviews where people describe themselves as “good” Christians, but other than their statement there is no evidence of God’s work in their life.

Godliness should be our unspoken calling card, our life’s purpose and how we comport ourselves in everything. If we have to “sell” our godliness, then perhaps we aren’t understanding our calling. Our pursuit of a Godly life should be a pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, gentleness (vs. 11). We should live a life that radiates these characteristics of Christ and dedicate ourselves to his service.

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 4 (day four)  Verse 7 admonishes us to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.  Why is this important in our lives?  Spiritual discipline is what is known as a value added exercise.  There is more benefit than just the immediate.  Godliness holds promise for our lives to come.  When Christ returns and establishes His kingdom, godliness in our lives will bear fruit in His eternal kingdom.  Eternity is hard for us to comprehend in our finiteness, but it will far exceed our few years on earth.  What an investment!  God has given us a way to impact our eternity.  Our hope is in Him and our heart’s desire is to obey Him.  Godliness in our lives may well impact others’ eternity as well.  Our example could lead to their salvation.  It is so important that Paul says we are to be ‘absorbed’ in godliness.  What a challenge…discipline yourself for godliness!

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 4 (day one) 
“The Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.”–v. 1-2.

Latter day saints.  Not Mormons, but all who live for Christ in the period AFTER the cross and resurrection and ascension and BEFORE His return.  What the Bible calls “the later times” or “the last days”. ( see 2 Timothy 3:1)  Evil days.  Even within the church, (Acts 20:29) people will fall away from truth.  They will claim to believe the gospel, but have no testimony of it’s cleansing power.  Hypocrites so far as gospel truth is concerned.  Consciences burned and numb, insensitive to the Spirit’s conviction.  What does this warning say to postmoderns who desire to be faithful?  All week, we will read and reflect on Paul’s answer.  God bless you, Latter day saints!

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day five)

Paul goes into great detail in describing the qualifications and character traits for the servant/leaders of the church.  He doesn’t mince words in his prescription or perspective.  The result of this kind of outlined leadership leads to a church that is strong and visible.  See verse 15- “which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth”.  The church as a foundation will keep the true doctrines of the faith strong against heresy and withstand the tension that will always come from the surrounding culture.  The church as a pillar will lift high the Name of Christ and the Truth of the Gospel.  Great Privilege!  Amazing Opportunity! Incredible Responsibility!  May FBCSA be both strong and visible!

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day four) There is a model for growth inherent in the church. Just like a baby is born, unable to do much at all, and they grow and mature to walk, talk, think, and reason…so the believer develops and grows in godliness. Paul writes to Timothy that there are standards to be met for one who aspires to be a pastor. There are also standards for a deacon to be chosen to serve. What if a believer does not want to be a pastor or a deacon? Are there standards for him? Yes! We all have expectations of how we live our life for Christ. God’s Word gives us instructions for how we should grow and mature in our walk with Christ. Our standards are not necessarily lower than a deacon or a pastor, they are still a part of our growth potential. We may not have matured yet to that level or standard or we may not have been called to serve in those capacities. We are to be like Christ, though…there is no higher standard.

Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day three)
“For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”
If we teach forgiveness and thanksgiving and honesty and love in our church meetings, but we do not seek to use those words to shape the most basic fellowship we know—the home—we have turned our backs on the primary domain of human spiritual formation.  Perhaps we could replace the question, “What will the people at church think?” with “What will the people at home think?”