Monday 20th August 2018 - Daily Reading:
1 Timothy 1 Paul places two “charges” on Timothy by Derek McCulloch

Timothy has accompanied Paul for years assisting him and liaising on his behalf with a number of churches. Paul has taught Timothy both the essentials of the Christian faith and the basis of Christian leadership. Now Paul has left Timothy in charge of the church at Ephesus and he has moved on to Macedonia from where he now writes this first letter to Timothy to encourage his “true son in the faith” (1 Tim 1:2).

Paul places two “charges” or commands on Timothy in this chapter:

Verse 3…..-remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine
Verse 18….-This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare

The first is a “charge” or command for others, whereas the second is a “charge” or command for Timothy himself.

Paul is encouraging Timothy to direct others in the church to hold fast to the simple truth of the gospel, that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and not to allow anything to be added, which may well cause disputes rather than Godly edification. Nothing should be and nothing needs to be added to the gospel of salvation by grace through faith.

The simple truth of the gospel brings about Godly edification and the focus of our lives as believers should be the clear and sound doctrine found in the word of God.

Paul then encourages Timothy to wage a good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, in keeping with the prophetic calling on his life.
Let us seek to hold fast to the simplicity of the gospel and to wage a good warfare as we look to develop our relationship with the Lord and advance His purposes.

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