From: October 16, 2023
“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT).
Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.
We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.
We must teach unto repentance and life change, not only increased knowledge, but increased love.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we love learning more about You and Your Word, but help us not only to have more head knowledge but true heart change. Fill us with love for You and for one another. For this is the mark of being Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 16, 2022
PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR INSTRUCTING BELIEVERS: LOVE
Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience, and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.
We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine by love. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.
Are you growing in love? Being filled with love is the evidence that we are truly hearing and applying God’s Word to our lives.
PRAYER: Dear Father, open our ears and our hearts to truly hear Your Word today. Fill our hearts afresh with Your love and Spirit. Show us the way to walk in Your love today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 16, 2018
PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR INSTRUCTING BELIEVERS
Paul’s teaching did not have a goal of increased knowledge, but of increased love. Knowledge is good, but without love, it is nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). The believers in Ephesus loved knowledge so much that their discussions often dissolved into meaningless and endless debates over disputable matters. Paul encouraged Timothy not to scratch their itch for such things, but to focus on instruction that affected the heart, the conscience and built up a genuine faith. In this way, love would be the ultimate outcome.
We can learn from Paul’s purpose for instruction. Our preaching and teaching must have as its aim that believers examine their hearts, repent of sin to clear their conscience and grow in their faith, so that it is proven genuine. This kind of instruction leads to believers who are filled with love.
We preach unto repentance and life change, not only increased knowledge, but increased love.
From: October 16, 2016
This was the word of the Lord that Jeremiah prophesied for those Jews exiled in Babylon. They had lost hope because God had allowed them to be carried off from their homes to a strange land. Jeremiah encouraged them to call upon the Lord and not to despair of God’s goodness towards them. Sometimes we are like exiles. We feel that God has forsaken us and we fall into despair. Yet, God’s Word reminds us not to give up hope. For the Lord has an ultimate plan. It may lead through a season of darkness, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t despair. Call upon the Lord and He will hear you.
From: October 16, 2015
Jeremiah told those who had been exiled to Babylon to “seek the peace” of that city. They were to seek “peace” (Hebrew: “shalom” – wholeness, peace, prosperity, happiness, blessing). They were to plant, build, marry, and increase, not decrease there. They were to be a blessing to the city, for in “its peace” they would have peace too. Are we a blessing to the city to which we’ve been sent? If our church ceased to exist in our city, would anyone notice? In our zeal to separate ourselves from the world, we tend to gather in a holy huddle around the Light while leaving those around us in darkness. Instead, let us be a light in our city, seeking its shalom in Jesus’ name.
From: October 16, 2014
Paul taught Timothy the importance of guarding the gospel against those who would misuse the law, claiming its necessity for salvation. Human effort at law-keeping does not save, only believing the gospel saves. Those that teach law-keeping as a means of salvation are not using the law “correctly.” Yet, the law is not useless when used rightly. In fact, there are at least three right uses of the Law:
The Law is to… (3 “R”s – Gal. 3:19-26)
1. Restrain our sinful behavior (Like a guard rail).
2. Reflect our guilt (Like a mirror).
3. Reveal God’s righteous way (Like a teacher).
The law is useful when “used correctly,” but only faith in Christ saves.