God's Word Is True { 1 Timothy 1 }
Timothy, a Galatian born in Lystra, was a young man who after receiving Christ as his Savior, became the Apostle Paul's protégé and part of his missionary team. He was eventually sent out by Paul to advise churches on how to run the body of Christ, how to deal with false teachings, and what the conduct of the minister should be. Knowing the great responsibility he carried, Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to share his love, encouragement, and guidance.
Paul begins by urging Timothy to stay in Ephesus to, "instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give further rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith." (vs. 3-4) Ephesus was a wealthy and influential port city where the temple of the Greek god Artemis was located. It was full of false doctrines, immorality, and cult worship. Outside influences were trying to mislead members of the church away from sound biblical doctrine. Paul instructed Timothy to pay no mind to these false teachings, but instead focus on leading people to Jesus by teaching godly truth.
Sadly these same influences are still alive in today's culture. Our society is filled with immorality, cults, and false religions. Too many churches claiming to teach the Word of God do anything but. Scripture is taken out of context and twisted to fit the narrative needed to convince people of its truth, or disregarded all together. Throughout the Bible God gives us very strong warnings about adding to or taking away from His Word. In Deut. 4:2 God says, "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I have commanded." And Proverbs 30:6, "Do not add to His words, or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar." We must be very careful that our own opinions and interpretations of Scripture, and those of our Christian teachers line up with what God actually says in His Word. Paul warned Timothy against men who "straying from these things have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions." (v. 7)
We can protect ourselves from falling prey to false teachings by having an intimate personal relationship with God, and studying His Word. For as Psalm 119:160 tells us, "The sum of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting." In this chapter of 1 Timothy the truth Paul wants us to know is this, "That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners among whom I am foremost of all"(v. 15) Paul sure knows of which he speaks. When it came to Christians, Paul was public enemy number one. No one persecuted God's people more fanatically than him. Yet even though Paul was intent on destroying God's church, when he accepted Jesus as his Savior he received God's forgiveness and unmerited grace. "I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." (v. 16) Paul is saying, "Look at me. If God is willing to save someone as wretched as myself, He's willing to save all of those who believe in Him."
Could there be a more amazing truth? No matter who we are or what we've done, God wants us! He wants to be our Father and cover us with His loving grace. "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God..." (1 John 3:1) And as children of God, we should take our responsibility of sharing the truth of the Good News as seriously as Paul and Timothy did. We live in a world that fiercely opposes God's truth. Even so that shouldn't deter us from sharing the gospel, never giving up, and always fighting the good fight. For God's Word is true, and "to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (v. 17)
