February 17, 2025

February 17-    1 Timothy 1

Paul is writing to a young pastor who he has trained and developed for ministry.  He is writing with instruction that was not just applicable for his pastoral ministry, but I also think in different ways can help us as we serve the LORD.  In truth all Christians are called to ministry.  We are all called to serve the LORD in our lives.
    The first thing that we can learn is that it is important that we are careful in our beliefs and can identify and correct bad ideas.  There are many so called "Christian" ideas and beliefs that are really not in line with Scripture.  They are very destructive, especially to young people.  As followers of Jesus, we need to know accurately what the man we are following said and expects.  We need to examine everything, compare it to Scripture, and identify the truth based on the Bible.  We especially need to be mindful of what our children and grandchildren hear in the world we live in today so we can be sure they understand and live according to the Truth.

The second thing I think that stands out in Chapter 1 is that Paul understood how great his need for a Savior was.  He called himself the worst of sinners.  He truly had a past that was not only not believing in Jesus but was actually opposing Jesus and his followers.  His testimony is about how loving and gracious God was to him in his sinfulness to bring him to salvation.  This is our story as well.  We may not have sinned in the same way as Paul, but we all were in sin before God's grace came into our lives at salvation.  Our testimony needs to be shared because in our story God's glory is revealed in telling of what He has done for us.