Thursday, September 11, 2014

I Timothy 1: Dear Timothy...

As we transition into Paul's personal letters, we see a shift from his messages to congregations and groups toward a focus on speaking intimately to specific individuals.  Timothy, Paul's partner in the gospel and "son in the faith," is in Ephesus on Paul's instructions (vs. 3) while the older apostle is in Macedonia.  Both are carrying out their ministry, keeping the other in prayer.  Paul writes this letter to encourage Timothy and give further directions about leadership in the Church.
Paul begins with a recognition that the law is given not for the innocent but the guilty (vs. 9).  He then admits that he himself was at one time among the worst offenders (vs. 15) but that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."  

Whenever we may be tempted to offer judgment and condemnation to others, we should strive to remember our own past and how Christ has saved us - and to also remember that Christ came for precisely this reason, to save sinners. 

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