Redeeming the Past

Reading:  1 Timothy 1:12-20
    
    Paul is frank with Timothy about his past.  “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent”(1 Tim 1:12-13).  Paul has not forgotten the shameful things he did prior to his conversion; he still considers himself “the foremost” of sinners (1 Tim 1:15).  Yet because of Jesus, his evil is not the end of the story.  He “received mercy” and “the grace of our Lord overflowed for me” and Jesus “judged me faithful”(1 Tim 1:13, 14, 12).  Now his story only confirms that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”(1 Tim 1:15).  Paul’s regret over what he has done drives him to praise and serve Jesus.  Now his past becomes part of the gospel he preaches.

    So Paul encourages Timothy to “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”(1 Tim 1:18).  Not everyone’s story has the happy ending Paul’s does.  “By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme”(1 Tim 1:19-20).  As much as Paul is a good example for Timothy, these men are patterns to avoid.  They “have made shipwreck of their faith.”  In the ancient world, shipwrecks were utter disasters.  Cargo was destroyed, ships were damaged, and lives were lost.  Shipwrecked faith implies a hopeful beginning that later turns terrible.  Paul’s words are both a sad commentary on the lives of Hymenaeus and Alexander and a sharp warning to Timothy:  a good beginning does not guarantee a good ending.

    We cannot change the past, but Jesus can redeem the past.  He can take our mistakes and misfortunes and turn them into something powerful and useful.  He can forgive our sins.  He can use our past to help us relate to others.  He can transform our pain into a warning.  He can mold us into stronger, deeper people.  He can use us for ministry to others.  What Jesus has done for Paul gives us encouragement for how we deal with our past and hope for how Jesus will redeem current hardships and use them for good.

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One Thing to Think About: What temptations or challenges might lead me to make shipwreck of my faith?

One Thing to Pray For:  Faith and a good conscience 
 

Pointless Spiritual Discussion

Reading:  1 Timothy 1:1-11
    
    This is a personal letter Paul has written to Timothy with instructions for how to do the work of an evangelist as he works with the church in Ephesus.  It is a combination of apostolic instruction, specific concerns for situations, and personal advice about preaching.  “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith”(1 Tim 1:3-4).  A major part of Timothy’s work will be re-emphasizing the gospel to a group of Christians who have drifted into “different doctrine” and “myths and endless genealogies.”  These things appear spiritual, but actually only lead to useless speculation.

    Timothy needs to keep his focus on the goal of gospel teaching:  “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).  Christian teaching is not intended to bring speculation, discussion, and division, but love.  Just because something interests us doesn’t mean it’s good for us.  “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions”(1 Tim 1:6-7).  Rather than sincerity, faith, and love, some discussions are merely “vain.”  Paul knows that sometimes the Law of Moses is invoked in these discussions (along with genealogies, 1 Tim 1:4, suggesting a Jewish flavor).  He insists that the Law is good, yet even the Law was not intended so that we could have endless arguments about its meaning (1 Tim 1:8-9).  

    There is an important caution here.  Christians are often drawn to spiritual discussion, assuming that any spiritual discussion is good discussion.  Paul warns about myths, genealogies, and vain discussion.  Some discussions produce only speculation and division.  Christian teaching is not merely a matter to be debated, asserted, and defended.  Christian teaching is intended to produce something:  love, sincerity, and faith.  It changes the heart of the obedient believer, then changes his life and relationships.  We should not “devote (ourselves) to” discussion that does not achieve this goal.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I have a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith?

One Thing to Pray For:  Discernment to know what is worthwhile (or pointless) discussion 
 

My God Will Supply Your Need

Reading:  Philippians 4:14-23
    
    Philippians is Paul’s extended thank-you note to the church for their gift of support.  “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me…it was kind of you to share my trouble”(Phil 4:10, 14).  He is thankful for the gift, but also that it signifies their “concern” and willingness to “share my trouble.”  It speaks to a loving relationship.  Paul also remembers that this is not the first time they have helped him:  “in the beginning of the gospel…no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only”(Phil 4:15).  Paul and the Philippians go way back.  It is always appropriate to acknowledge the kindness of others.

    But Paul is also doing more than saying “thank you.”  “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit”(Phil 4:17).  Their giving blesses them, giving testimony to their love and bringing glory to God.  It is “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God”(Phil 4:18).  Just as Jews would give up their animals to God to please him, so the Philippians have sacrificed their money to Paul so he could further God’s work.  To that Paul gives an assurance that “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”(Phil 4:19).  God will repay their sacrifice.  As God has blessed Paul through the Philippians, so he will bless the Philippians through others.  On and on goes the train of giving, blessing, and sustaining. 

    It is counterintuitive to think that when we give our money away, we will have our needs supplied.  When we give our money away, we have less!  Yet this is why our sacrifices (financial, relational, time) are acts of faith and love.  We trust that God will reward us and others will be blessed.  When we have given to the point that we are empty, our God will supply our needs.
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One Thing to Think About: What am I sacrificing to supply the needs of others?

One Thing to Pray For:  God to supply the needs of those who have helped and blessed me
 

The Battle Within

Reading:  Philippians 4:8-13
    
    Paul asserts that the Christian faith must affect our inner life.  “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”(Phil 4:8).  The content of our thoughts is our choice.  Paul encourages us to seek out good things to think about.  There will always be negative dimensions to our circumstances and relationships, so Paul’s words imply that we will have to actively seek out positives in what we see.  What is good here?  What is praiseworthy?  What can I commend?  These are the matters worthy of our careful thought.

    Paul also opens up about his own personal journey in his thinking.  “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me”(Phil 4:11-13).  Paul has “learned” to find contentment in any situation, implying that it is not natural to him.  He has taken the wide range of circumstances he has encountered (“plenty and hunger, abundance and need”) as an opportunity to discipline his inner man.  He takes ownership of his own contentment, not requiring great circumstances before he is joyful and at peace.  These words suggest a long process of careful discipline and looking for the good in challenging situations.  Jesus is the author of even this gradual change in Paul:  “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

    Paul’s words draw our attention to the battle within.  Long before we complain, curse, and criticize—long before we lash out, take revenge, or sin brazenly—there is a battle to control our thoughts.  We can allow frustrations to grow in intensity, boiling over in evil or we can seek the positives in our situation.  We can rejoice in wealth and bemoan poverty or we can concentrate on glorifying God wherever we find ourselves.  Positivity and contentment are choices we can always make—and they determine our words and actions.

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One Thing to Think About: Why is it hard for me to consistently think positive thoughts?

One Thing to Pray For:  Contentment, joy, and positive thoughts regardless of my circumstances
 

The Peace that Passes Understanding

Reading:  Philippians 4:1-7
    
    Paul attempts to resolve a personal conflict from a distance:  “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord”(Phil 4:2).  We do not know what the difficulty between these two women involved, but Paul does not declare a winner.  He just wants them to make peace.   The fact that the letter is intended to be read publicly makes this rebuke especially powerful; now everyone is involved in their personal problem.  In personal disputes, who is right is not nearly as important as a willingness to “agree in the Lord.”  This implies direct conversation, a willingness to listen to one another, the humility to admit fault, and a desire to be reconciled.

    Paul moves from peace in the congregation to inner peace:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”(Phil 4:6-7).  God wants anxiety to be channeled into prayer.  Rather than wallowing in the uncertainty and challenge of what troubles us, we ask God for his help.  We combine our requests of God with thanksgiving, appreciating what we already have.  Even if God does not directly or immediately answer our prayers, we will now have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” to “guard (our) hearts and (our) minds”(Phil 4:7).  God wants Christians to be at peace rather than anxious and promises that he will give peace to those who bring their needs to him.  We may not be able to understand all the ways this works, but Paul urges us to try it anyway.

    Anxiety and peace are pressing concerns for all of us.  We face overwhelming situations and often feel helpless in the face of an uncertain future.  Paul’s teaching helps us be constructive.  What are we thankful for?  What can God do about it?  What exactly do we want God to do for us?  We can leave our concerns at his doorstep, confident that he will give an appropriate answer in response.  We move from the realm of unfocused anxiety toward God’s peace.

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One Thing to Think About: Do I pray my worries?

One Thing to Pray For:  God to relieve my anxiety and give me his peace