Before, I did a verse by verse meditation on these, I wanted to think about these verses in the big picture context. These verses are those that describe the qualifications for elders and deacons in the church.
I personally thought, I have no desire to be a church leader, but I do desire to follow God and so I do desire my life to match the scrutiny of these verses also.
As I started to walk it was hard not to tally a mental checklist as I went through the verses. This character trait (check), next character trait (uncheck), this trait (check back in a month). As I thought about it, regretfully I started to see it as a to do list I would put on my refrigerator. Must be gentle (Will do next week), hospitable (tomorrow), not a lover of money (Maybe I can buy a book about that at the store later today). Anyway it became rather daunting.
Instead of any answers all I got were questions in my head. "Is this possible?" "Does such a man exist?" How do you become such a man?
Then it hit me, you can't "become such a man". Such a natural man does not exist. If I treated this like a checklist of traits to add to my shopping cart, this task would never be acheivable and I would never become "such a man".
I then thought about C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity Here is a rather long quote from the book.
"Already the new men are dotted here and there all over the earth....Every now and then one meets them. Their very voices and faces are different from ours; stronger, quieter, happier, more radiant. They begin werhe most of us leave off. They are, I say, recognisable; but you must know what to look for. They will not be very like the idea of "religious people" which you have formed from your general reading. They do not draw attention to themselves. You tend to think that you are being kind to them when they are really being kind to you. They love you more than other men do, but they need you less......They will usually seem to have a lot of time; you will wonder where it comes from. When you have recognised one of them, you will recognise the next one much more easily. And I strongly suspect that they recognise one another immediately and infallibly,........In that way to be holy is like joining a secret society. To put it at the very lowest, it must be great fun..............To become new men means losing what we now call "ourselves." Out of ourselves, into Christ, we must go. His will is to become ours and we are to think His thoughts, to "have the mind of Christ" as the Bible says."
This is how I think we become these "new men". Set apart to lead Christ's church. Not to follow a checklist of character to do's, but to become more Christ like. To put on his mind. To be more, not to do more. As Paul prayed for the Ephesians "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" This is how you become "such a man".
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
1 Tim 3:2
"Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."
In a short note, this might be my last walking meditation in a while as I sprained my ankle (for the first time ever, never thought it would happen to me) while playing soccer with the boys. I realize what people talk about when they feel their ankle pop. Mine did and it was horrible. I get to write this while I sit home with a day off unable to walk. My wife encouraged me to rename the blog "Laying with Timothy", but then we both realized this was probably not appropriate!
The moment I read this verse, this thought popped into my head. "This is where desire meets reality." The last verse we looked at the nobility of setting your thoughts on such a high position, a position of such responsibility, a position of such service. It is good that men have these desires, but here Paul reminds Timothy, the desire is good, but it takes more then desire to lead in Christ's Church. Here is what it takes........
While Christ of course, gives all of his believers freedom to make choices, free to make mistakes, free even to decide to choose sin against him. Here is something I believe in which he does not want to give Timothy and for that matter any church freedom. Here Paul spends the next 10 or so verses be very specific on the qualifications for leaders within Christ's church. Here the rubber hits the road. It is great to desire, it is better to deliver. Believers who desire to lead in the church need to deliver a godly character. Here Paul tells Timothy what that looks like and he leaves little room for Timothy to move within his established desires. Here is what a leader after my heart looks like, the only type of leader who should follow after me in leadership. This is what I hear the Lord saying through Paul.
In this verse, Christ through Paul eliminates all "wordly" standards for leadership. Even all "churchly" standards that regretfully mingle in ever so gently into our evaluation of individuals. He never talks about money. Being a "VP" of a company has no bearing to the Lord.(Though management skills are valued) He's not a fishing buddy of the pastor or someone who has a great sense of humor (Even though the church needs more who do at times!) God says, your standards, because of your nature tend to be flawed. My standards are never flawed. Use Them!
One more noble thing about this process is the noble task of being one who selects God's leaders. As Timothy is hearing this, I imagine him reading with a great sense of almost foreboding responsibility hanging over him. This is quite a list. Does such a man exist! Either way it is my responsibility to do my do diligence in searching for them. Finding the men who will lead God's church along with him is a task of utmost importance. A task that will forever effect the church and forever effect him as he serves with these men.
In a short note, this might be my last walking meditation in a while as I sprained my ankle (for the first time ever, never thought it would happen to me) while playing soccer with the boys. I realize what people talk about when they feel their ankle pop. Mine did and it was horrible. I get to write this while I sit home with a day off unable to walk. My wife encouraged me to rename the blog "Laying with Timothy", but then we both realized this was probably not appropriate!
The moment I read this verse, this thought popped into my head. "This is where desire meets reality." The last verse we looked at the nobility of setting your thoughts on such a high position, a position of such responsibility, a position of such service. It is good that men have these desires, but here Paul reminds Timothy, the desire is good, but it takes more then desire to lead in Christ's Church. Here is what it takes........
While Christ of course, gives all of his believers freedom to make choices, free to make mistakes, free even to decide to choose sin against him. Here is something I believe in which he does not want to give Timothy and for that matter any church freedom. Here Paul spends the next 10 or so verses be very specific on the qualifications for leaders within Christ's church. Here the rubber hits the road. It is great to desire, it is better to deliver. Believers who desire to lead in the church need to deliver a godly character. Here Paul tells Timothy what that looks like and he leaves little room for Timothy to move within his established desires. Here is what a leader after my heart looks like, the only type of leader who should follow after me in leadership. This is what I hear the Lord saying through Paul.
In this verse, Christ through Paul eliminates all "wordly" standards for leadership. Even all "churchly" standards that regretfully mingle in ever so gently into our evaluation of individuals. He never talks about money. Being a "VP" of a company has no bearing to the Lord.(Though management skills are valued) He's not a fishing buddy of the pastor or someone who has a great sense of humor (Even though the church needs more who do at times!) God says, your standards, because of your nature tend to be flawed. My standards are never flawed. Use Them!
One more noble thing about this process is the noble task of being one who selects God's leaders. As Timothy is hearing this, I imagine him reading with a great sense of almost foreboding responsibility hanging over him. This is quite a list. Does such a man exist! Either way it is my responsibility to do my do diligence in searching for them. Finding the men who will lead God's church along with him is a task of utmost importance. A task that will forever effect the church and forever effect him as he serves with these men.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
1 Tim 3:1
"Here is a trustworthy saying, whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task."
I spent three days walking on this verse and nothing really hit me about it. There were several things I was thinking through, but nothing really came to me. I wondered why Paul felt the need to declare another statement trustworthy as he had done about a chapter earlier. I wondered what was so noble about the task. ( The coming verses explain much of the nobility of the desire so I will not spend time with that here). I also spent time thinking about what it means to aspire to this role. Is this a calling or simply a desire to serve. I think both.
Then something hit me as to the nobility to this desire, ignobility! There are so many ignoble things in this world to pursue and regretfully most men, even many in the church, pursue these desires. They have said no to money, no to power, no to pleasure. They have refused to focus on filling their storehouses with earthly treasure. They have and are working to beat lesser pleasures, lesser gods into the ground. They have rejected what man values for what God values. This is noble!
Col 3:1-3 tells us to set our hearts on things above where Christ our hope sits. This is noble. This is where we are to set our vision and striving to be men who can lead the church these men have truly set their hearts on things above. They have decided not to store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. They have openly said I forsake the pleasures of the world to the greater reward. They have said as Jim Elliott did "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
I wanted to come back and share two other thought that hit me about the nobility of this desire. First, is the understanding of the great scrutiny you are about to go through. Following this verse, Paul spends the rest of the chapter outlining the standards such a man match up to. By desiring such a task, you desire the scrutiny that comes with the process. You in essence are saying, open my life up bear, and test it.
Secondly, leading in the church in the first century (and still today in many countries) means the first to suffer persecution, danger, and possibly death for Christ. You put yourself on the frontlines as a symbol for the church. For those who desire to destroy the church, the leader is often the first mark. We have seen that here even in Mexico as pastors have been threatened by Narcos who see that they have Americans in the congregation and think they can get money from the church because of them. You are saying, I can stand for Christ through pressure.
I spent three days walking on this verse and nothing really hit me about it. There were several things I was thinking through, but nothing really came to me. I wondered why Paul felt the need to declare another statement trustworthy as he had done about a chapter earlier. I wondered what was so noble about the task. ( The coming verses explain much of the nobility of the desire so I will not spend time with that here). I also spent time thinking about what it means to aspire to this role. Is this a calling or simply a desire to serve. I think both.
Then something hit me as to the nobility to this desire, ignobility! There are so many ignoble things in this world to pursue and regretfully most men, even many in the church, pursue these desires. They have said no to money, no to power, no to pleasure. They have refused to focus on filling their storehouses with earthly treasure. They have and are working to beat lesser pleasures, lesser gods into the ground. They have rejected what man values for what God values. This is noble!
Col 3:1-3 tells us to set our hearts on things above where Christ our hope sits. This is noble. This is where we are to set our vision and striving to be men who can lead the church these men have truly set their hearts on things above. They have decided not to store up treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy. They have openly said I forsake the pleasures of the world to the greater reward. They have said as Jim Elliott did "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
I wanted to come back and share two other thought that hit me about the nobility of this desire. First, is the understanding of the great scrutiny you are about to go through. Following this verse, Paul spends the rest of the chapter outlining the standards such a man match up to. By desiring such a task, you desire the scrutiny that comes with the process. You in essence are saying, open my life up bear, and test it.
Secondly, leading in the church in the first century (and still today in many countries) means the first to suffer persecution, danger, and possibly death for Christ. You put yourself on the frontlines as a symbol for the church. For those who desire to destroy the church, the leader is often the first mark. We have seen that here even in Mexico as pastors have been threatened by Narcos who see that they have Americans in the congregation and think they can get money from the church because of them. You are saying, I can stand for Christ through pressure.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
1 Timothy 2:11-14
"A woman should learn in quiteness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner."
Wow! You read verses and sometimes a first you are a little taken back as to what to do with them. My first inclination it do what I have heard at times, declare this a local verse that only pertains to the issues in Timothy's congregation. Regretfully to do that seems to allow believers to much freedom to decide what Scripture is allowed to come out of its original context and which Scripture should stay in its place. All Scripture is originally local, but then likewise universal in scope.
Something that did jump out at me from these verses, which had never happened before in reading, is the organization of God. This chapter addressed to Timothy is littered with God's great desire for order and organization. He is a God of order and those who try to deny this simply do themselves harm. He started off the chapter urging Timothy to first pray for rulers so that societies might be peaceful and dignified so that the gospel might spread fruitfully. He has spent the last couple verse cautioning against things that destroy fellowship and order in worship. This verse continues the theme of God's great desire for order in the church.
No doubt, their is a local issue here. There obviously are women with the congregation causing issues by their behavior in meetings. This might even be linked to wealth of some wome as hinted at in the last set of verses. Anyway, their behavior is leading to a lack of local order. God desires that within his body, all of his attributes will be reflected in the world. One of these is his desire for order. That is not being done in this congregation.
It would be skirting an issue to not talk about roles here. Yesterday, in my bible class with the boys. I established 4 principles for Manhood. I took these from Raising A Modern Day Knight and I think they are wonderful. 1) Reject Passivity 2) Accepts Responsibility 3) Leads Courageously 4) Expects a Greater Reward. When discussing point 3 with the kids, the book and I used 1 Corinthians 11:3 "the head of every man is Christ, so man is the head of the woman." While explaining it carefully to avoid misinterpretation, I made the point that men were created to be leaders. Every man is created in some aspect to be a leader. Men need to embrace this.
I have a feeling that within this church men are not embracing their roles. When their is a power vacuum caused by men vacating their roles within the church or the home, naturally the women in these areas will step in and satisfy them. This is a problem in Timothy's church. Men need to reestablish them. While this verse does seem to be an indictment on women (actually rather harsh), I think implicitly it is critical of men. The first point above is "Reject Passivity". No greater show of male passivity has been seen then what was experienced in the garden of Eden. Here Adam sat by and watched passively as Eve chose to give into temptation. So while the Scripture says that Adam was formed first (putting him in a leadership role) he was also not first to stand up to Satan. He allowed his wife to sin, by being passive in leadership no setting guidelines for his family and his faith in God's command.
This church is suffering in the same way and I believe Paul is trying to remind Timothy of the natural order created by God. While the verse seems to be very critical of women, (No one ever accused Paul of tiptoeing issues), it is actually very critical of the lack of God ordained structure that this church is displaying.
Wow! You read verses and sometimes a first you are a little taken back as to what to do with them. My first inclination it do what I have heard at times, declare this a local verse that only pertains to the issues in Timothy's congregation. Regretfully to do that seems to allow believers to much freedom to decide what Scripture is allowed to come out of its original context and which Scripture should stay in its place. All Scripture is originally local, but then likewise universal in scope.
Something that did jump out at me from these verses, which had never happened before in reading, is the organization of God. This chapter addressed to Timothy is littered with God's great desire for order and organization. He is a God of order and those who try to deny this simply do themselves harm. He started off the chapter urging Timothy to first pray for rulers so that societies might be peaceful and dignified so that the gospel might spread fruitfully. He has spent the last couple verse cautioning against things that destroy fellowship and order in worship. This verse continues the theme of God's great desire for order in the church.
No doubt, their is a local issue here. There obviously are women with the congregation causing issues by their behavior in meetings. This might even be linked to wealth of some wome as hinted at in the last set of verses. Anyway, their behavior is leading to a lack of local order. God desires that within his body, all of his attributes will be reflected in the world. One of these is his desire for order. That is not being done in this congregation.
It would be skirting an issue to not talk about roles here. Yesterday, in my bible class with the boys. I established 4 principles for Manhood. I took these from Raising A Modern Day Knight and I think they are wonderful. 1) Reject Passivity 2) Accepts Responsibility 3) Leads Courageously 4) Expects a Greater Reward. When discussing point 3 with the kids, the book and I used 1 Corinthians 11:3 "the head of every man is Christ, so man is the head of the woman." While explaining it carefully to avoid misinterpretation, I made the point that men were created to be leaders. Every man is created in some aspect to be a leader. Men need to embrace this.
I have a feeling that within this church men are not embracing their roles. When their is a power vacuum caused by men vacating their roles within the church or the home, naturally the women in these areas will step in and satisfy them. This is a problem in Timothy's church. Men need to reestablish them. While this verse does seem to be an indictment on women (actually rather harsh), I think implicitly it is critical of men. The first point above is "Reject Passivity". No greater show of male passivity has been seen then what was experienced in the garden of Eden. Here Adam sat by and watched passively as Eve chose to give into temptation. So while the Scripture says that Adam was formed first (putting him in a leadership role) he was also not first to stand up to Satan. He allowed his wife to sin, by being passive in leadership no setting guidelines for his family and his faith in God's command.
This church is suffering in the same way and I believe Paul is trying to remind Timothy of the natural order created by God. While the verse seems to be very critical of women, (No one ever accused Paul of tiptoeing issues), it is actually very critical of the lack of God ordained structure that this church is displaying.
1 Timothy 2:9-10
"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."
As I read through this, verse I hesitated to dive in as we are moving into a discussion on gender roles in the church. It is funny how you don't even want to think, little lone talk through some of these verses sometimes. Despite that, I memorized on.
The first thing I noticed as I began the verse is that the wording is identical to the start of verse 8, "I also want". This puts this statement on par with the statement before it. Its like saying I want a hamburger and I want a milkshake. They all make up the same thought that composes a meal. Likewise this verse, isn't really so much about women's roles, but like verse 8, about worship.
The goal focus of these verses is avoiding hindrances to worship. Verse 8 wants men to engage in worship together and put aside all disputes and anger. Verse 9 also wants women to engage in that same worship, but they need to avoid the desire to outwardly adorn themselves. I personally think Paul understands what men and women both struggle with. He understands in the church, and definitely in Timothy's church, that men often struggle with disputes and disagreements which often lead to anger over issues within the church. I think Paul is also making a statement here that women's desire to adorn themselves outwardly can also be a hindrance to women in a worshipping community.
This made me reflect back to a discussion Paul had on communion where he warned the church, not to show favortism of people of higher rank during communion. This is essence harms any sense of unified worship that is celebrated through the taking of the Lord's supper by elevating some over others. Likewise, in our day, and I would guess in Paul's day we see women trying to define themselves and their station in the world by dress. I don't think Paul is saying that women can never dress nicely, (I love it when my wife puts on a beautiful dress for a nice date). Instead I think he is saying that there is no place for this within a worshipping body. The adorning (which cannot be done evenly by all) seperates people into groups. I have seen this in church before.
Now in no way, am I trying to equate nice clothes with sinful behavior, but I know that we tend to try to define ourselves by what we wear. I know many (in and out of the church) like to look down on others not dressed as nicely. This is a defnite trap of money. God I believe is saying that in this church, and any church, women can sometimes unknownly impede worship by putting a focus on the outward appearance.
I think Paul ends the verse by confirming that within a worshipping body of saints the only thing that should make women (and men) stand out is our deeds done in the faith. I tend to reflect on the many crowns that can be awarded to a believer at the day of judement. These are the only adornments Paul believes should distinguish one believer from another within the worship.
As I read through this, verse I hesitated to dive in as we are moving into a discussion on gender roles in the church. It is funny how you don't even want to think, little lone talk through some of these verses sometimes. Despite that, I memorized on.
The first thing I noticed as I began the verse is that the wording is identical to the start of verse 8, "I also want". This puts this statement on par with the statement before it. Its like saying I want a hamburger and I want a milkshake. They all make up the same thought that composes a meal. Likewise this verse, isn't really so much about women's roles, but like verse 8, about worship.
The goal focus of these verses is avoiding hindrances to worship. Verse 8 wants men to engage in worship together and put aside all disputes and anger. Verse 9 also wants women to engage in that same worship, but they need to avoid the desire to outwardly adorn themselves. I personally think Paul understands what men and women both struggle with. He understands in the church, and definitely in Timothy's church, that men often struggle with disputes and disagreements which often lead to anger over issues within the church. I think Paul is also making a statement here that women's desire to adorn themselves outwardly can also be a hindrance to women in a worshipping community.
This made me reflect back to a discussion Paul had on communion where he warned the church, not to show favortism of people of higher rank during communion. This is essence harms any sense of unified worship that is celebrated through the taking of the Lord's supper by elevating some over others. Likewise, in our day, and I would guess in Paul's day we see women trying to define themselves and their station in the world by dress. I don't think Paul is saying that women can never dress nicely, (I love it when my wife puts on a beautiful dress for a nice date). Instead I think he is saying that there is no place for this within a worshipping body. The adorning (which cannot be done evenly by all) seperates people into groups. I have seen this in church before.
Now in no way, am I trying to equate nice clothes with sinful behavior, but I know that we tend to try to define ourselves by what we wear. I know many (in and out of the church) like to look down on others not dressed as nicely. This is a defnite trap of money. God I believe is saying that in this church, and any church, women can sometimes unknownly impede worship by putting a focus on the outward appearance.
I think Paul ends the verse by confirming that within a worshipping body of saints the only thing that should make women (and men) stand out is our deeds done in the faith. I tend to reflect on the many crowns that can be awarded to a believer at the day of judement. These are the only adornments Paul believes should distinguish one believer from another within the worship.
1 Tim 2:8
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger and disputing."
It's been a couple of days since I walked with this one so I forget a little of my time. One thought popped into my head after walking, Martin Luther King. Maybe it was because his birthday was celebrated recently, but more so because of the tone of this verse. I almost hear Paul saying "I have a dream". Doesn't this sound like a monumental Christian verse? "I have a dream, that men everywhere will lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing."
Now, I actually think that is not completely fair as this verse borders, between a dream and command. But just like MLK's dream, this one honestly at times seems farfetched in it's complete attainment. How often do we find churches reaching this perfect unity, especially from the view of a pastor like Timothy who is aware of all of the little things going on. Pastors know the issues in the church unlike anyone else. They know all the little issues happening that are leading to anger and disputing. On top of that, Paul just 10 verses ago spoke about 2 men in the congregation he had to expell completely! This desire of Paul's for this church is still a bit of a dream, as it is regretfully in most churches.
The difference between Paul's dream and MLK's dream is that Paul's has the ability to be fulfilled. MLK's dream was built upon the flimsy presupposition that sinful man on their own would choose to abolish prejudice in their hearts. It is based solely on the desire of sinful man to do right. Paul's desire is built on the knowledge that the Holy Spirit living within man can and will bring about great change if allowed. Monumental change.
I think that is what Paul is asking for. A community so monumentally different from the world that its testimony sings out to all who come in contact. He may know that the church is not there yet, but he knows it's possible. That with God "All things are possible". For those of us who have seen the church work, Paul's statement sometimes strikes a cynical cord in our bodies. We know how hard this is, but Paul is telling Timothy here that it is possible, this is what the Holy Spirit can do in men. It can convict them to put others first, seek not their own, and inspire them to join together in enternal unity of worship to God the Father. With anything less then the empowering of the Holy God this is impossible. Just as it is impossible to "Be Holy, as I am Holy" or "Let no unwholesome talk" come out of your mouth by your own power. So to, this idea is based on man submitting their wills to the Spirit of God in work with them.
Paul, here is throwing out a lofty dream to Timothy. I would argue more lofty then the one MLK espoused 50 years ago. The only difference is that the church has been given the resources to make the impossible a possibility.
It's been a couple of days since I walked with this one so I forget a little of my time. One thought popped into my head after walking, Martin Luther King. Maybe it was because his birthday was celebrated recently, but more so because of the tone of this verse. I almost hear Paul saying "I have a dream". Doesn't this sound like a monumental Christian verse? "I have a dream, that men everywhere will lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing."
Now, I actually think that is not completely fair as this verse borders, between a dream and command. But just like MLK's dream, this one honestly at times seems farfetched in it's complete attainment. How often do we find churches reaching this perfect unity, especially from the view of a pastor like Timothy who is aware of all of the little things going on. Pastors know the issues in the church unlike anyone else. They know all the little issues happening that are leading to anger and disputing. On top of that, Paul just 10 verses ago spoke about 2 men in the congregation he had to expell completely! This desire of Paul's for this church is still a bit of a dream, as it is regretfully in most churches.
The difference between Paul's dream and MLK's dream is that Paul's has the ability to be fulfilled. MLK's dream was built upon the flimsy presupposition that sinful man on their own would choose to abolish prejudice in their hearts. It is based solely on the desire of sinful man to do right. Paul's desire is built on the knowledge that the Holy Spirit living within man can and will bring about great change if allowed. Monumental change.
I think that is what Paul is asking for. A community so monumentally different from the world that its testimony sings out to all who come in contact. He may know that the church is not there yet, but he knows it's possible. That with God "All things are possible". For those of us who have seen the church work, Paul's statement sometimes strikes a cynical cord in our bodies. We know how hard this is, but Paul is telling Timothy here that it is possible, this is what the Holy Spirit can do in men. It can convict them to put others first, seek not their own, and inspire them to join together in enternal unity of worship to God the Father. With anything less then the empowering of the Holy God this is impossible. Just as it is impossible to "Be Holy, as I am Holy" or "Let no unwholesome talk" come out of your mouth by your own power. So to, this idea is based on man submitting their wills to the Spirit of God in work with them.
Paul, here is throwing out a lofty dream to Timothy. I would argue more lofty then the one MLK espoused 50 years ago. The only difference is that the church has been given the resources to make the impossible a possibility.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
1 Timothy 2:7
"And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles."
This verse, is in essence Paul's conclusion to v5-6. In those verses he states a point, and here he gives you the outcome or reason for the point being made as well.
As I walked, I was again struck by the continuation of the idea of "the only". In verse 5, Paul says there is "only" one God, then "only" on mediator. In verse 6 he tells us that there is only "one ransom" for all of man. Here he finished that theme by stating that these things are the "only" purpose to which he was called.
This really had me thinking, Paul is trying to make some absolute, non-debatable points to Timothy. He is lying out the "only truth" "only salvation" and "only mission" to which he has been called and I would arguable all believers have been called to testify. We don't like absolutes much any more. In fact, I know I often try to live my life in general without making to many absolute statements. Paul is saying that belivers need to be absolute about certain things are things are them. Especially to Timothy here, I believe Paul is making the point that while "other" ideas might exist in the world, they should not in the church. In your flock Timothy, these truth really are "only" truths. There is not tolerance in the church for outside opinions. Do not tolerate them. Do not entertain them. Do not let others in your flock entertain them. You are people of "only on God" "one Savior" "one Salvation" "one purpose". This is a great reminder.
To this, Paul was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher. I am going to get back to these, but I wanted to address Pauls strange add in during the middle of the verse.
"I am telling the truth, I am not lying!". At first I read this and I almost hear the voice of my kids. "I didn't punch Joelle. I promise, I'm not lying.". Like any good dad, I generally don't believe them and place them in timeout, but what is Paul doing. This seems like an odd place to throw this in. We know Paul often times had to defend his minsistry. I wouldn't of thought he would have had to do this to Timothy but he thinks he does. Right in the middle of a statment about his calling.
First, it is clear from the first chapter and a half that young Timothy is dealing with a lot of strong, probably older personalities in his flock. Paul starts the book with a warning about false teachers (Probably because Timothy was dealing with them) and then also at the end of the chapter calls out two believers who were leading outwardly sinful lives. As a young pastor, he might even have several older men vying for the ear of the young pastor for various reasons. Here Paul feels the need to defend his trustworthiness and calling so Timothy knows among all the voices, which one to hear.
This got me thinking about the world we live in. Young belivers often hear so many voices, from the world, but even different voices from within the church. I have seen that here at the school. Who should they trust, who do the follow. Regretfully, I think often the one that tells them what they want to hear, the one that involves the least sacrifice, and the one that makes things "the easiest" on them. Paul is telling Timothy to avoid these voices and listen to one he knows who has been called as a "teacher of the true faith". I wish it were so easy, but few of us have a Paul and many are looking for a "true" voice. I think this is a topic for more meditation and Scripture searching later.
Back to Paul's calling. I think this goes right along with Paul's giftedness, but he has been appointed (I like to think of it as hired by the blood of Christ) to be a voice of evangelism, leader in the church, a teacher of what is right and true. What a calling. Not every believer shares the same calling as Paul (especially Apostle), but every believer through his giftedness is called to this same "purpose" Paul describes at the beginning of the verse.
This verse, is in essence Paul's conclusion to v5-6. In those verses he states a point, and here he gives you the outcome or reason for the point being made as well.
As I walked, I was again struck by the continuation of the idea of "the only". In verse 5, Paul says there is "only" one God, then "only" on mediator. In verse 6 he tells us that there is only "one ransom" for all of man. Here he finished that theme by stating that these things are the "only" purpose to which he was called.
This really had me thinking, Paul is trying to make some absolute, non-debatable points to Timothy. He is lying out the "only truth" "only salvation" and "only mission" to which he has been called and I would arguable all believers have been called to testify. We don't like absolutes much any more. In fact, I know I often try to live my life in general without making to many absolute statements. Paul is saying that belivers need to be absolute about certain things are things are them. Especially to Timothy here, I believe Paul is making the point that while "other" ideas might exist in the world, they should not in the church. In your flock Timothy, these truth really are "only" truths. There is not tolerance in the church for outside opinions. Do not tolerate them. Do not entertain them. Do not let others in your flock entertain them. You are people of "only on God" "one Savior" "one Salvation" "one purpose". This is a great reminder.
To this, Paul was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher. I am going to get back to these, but I wanted to address Pauls strange add in during the middle of the verse.
"I am telling the truth, I am not lying!". At first I read this and I almost hear the voice of my kids. "I didn't punch Joelle. I promise, I'm not lying.". Like any good dad, I generally don't believe them and place them in timeout, but what is Paul doing. This seems like an odd place to throw this in. We know Paul often times had to defend his minsistry. I wouldn't of thought he would have had to do this to Timothy but he thinks he does. Right in the middle of a statment about his calling.
First, it is clear from the first chapter and a half that young Timothy is dealing with a lot of strong, probably older personalities in his flock. Paul starts the book with a warning about false teachers (Probably because Timothy was dealing with them) and then also at the end of the chapter calls out two believers who were leading outwardly sinful lives. As a young pastor, he might even have several older men vying for the ear of the young pastor for various reasons. Here Paul feels the need to defend his trustworthiness and calling so Timothy knows among all the voices, which one to hear.
This got me thinking about the world we live in. Young belivers often hear so many voices, from the world, but even different voices from within the church. I have seen that here at the school. Who should they trust, who do the follow. Regretfully, I think often the one that tells them what they want to hear, the one that involves the least sacrifice, and the one that makes things "the easiest" on them. Paul is telling Timothy to avoid these voices and listen to one he knows who has been called as a "teacher of the true faith". I wish it were so easy, but few of us have a Paul and many are looking for a "true" voice. I think this is a topic for more meditation and Scripture searching later.
Back to Paul's calling. I think this goes right along with Paul's giftedness, but he has been appointed (I like to think of it as hired by the blood of Christ) to be a voice of evangelism, leader in the church, a teacher of what is right and true. What a calling. Not every believer shares the same calling as Paul (especially Apostle), but every believer through his giftedness is called to this same "purpose" Paul describes at the beginning of the verse.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
1 Timothy 2:5-6
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time."
I put these verses together as I think they tend to flow together in Paul's line of thinking and are really creating a general point of Christ as the "only". These verses follow Paul's urging to pray for kings and those in charge so that a society of peace might be created that the gospel might flow through readily. This is desireable as God desires that all men be saved. Paul, then again emphasizes to Timothy how they are saved through "the only".
This was one of those great days were I went over the verse as I left and was actually quite discouraged. The verse (6) was one I knew well and I recited it I had little belief I would be "awed" during this walk. Boy, was I wrong and felt bad for my attitude towards Scripture. I think a believer needs to always approach the Word of God with a feeling that God has something great to share. I didn't leave the house that way, but I did return so.
As I walked, the first word I found my self stuck on was "gave". I thought a lot about this verb and eventually ended up thinking about the idea of a gift. I felt this fit the context well and in exchange, I read the verse to myself "he gifted himself as a ransom for all men". His sacrifice truly was a gift for all mankind. We tend to think of gift when we think of the baby Jesus at Christmas and the "sacrifice" of Christ on the cross. The whole of God's sending from birth, to teaching ministry, to death on the cross and ressurection was all part of the "gift" that God offered up to man. In fact, I would argue that the "gift" of greatest value was his taking my sins on the cross. This idea just wrung with me as I walked. The idea of a gift for every man.
What was the essence of this gift, "a ransom". I did not want to get stuck on all of the issues surrounded with this word in the verse, but I did spend a great deal of time thinking about this word. Luckily, I just finished the book "Downfall, of the Crusader Kingdom". In this book, continually Muslims or Christians were capturing one another and ransoming freedom for money or land. Because of this, the idea of ransom was fresh in my mind. As I thought through this, a story from the book struck very close to home.
During the time of the Crusades, there was a man named Baldwin of Iberia. During a time he had been selected as the proper husband to be for the would be Queen of Jerusalem. In essence, he was eventually going to become the next king of Jerusalem. But then, during a skirmish with the Muslim army he was taken captive. Saladin new the treasure he had in Baldwin and asked for a ransom that literally was unobtainable in the kingdom. Despite this problem, Baldwin promised to find the money and on this promise Saladin released him. He searched the entire kingdom of Outremer and could only come up with a small portion of the needed money. So what did he do? The only thing he could, he sailed to a faraway kingdom, invoking the highest power he knew (The King of England). Because of his place as heir, the King asked Baldwin to sit in a chair, the story then goes that the King had endless sacks of gold brought in and dropped on Baldwin until it covered him head to toe. Because of his place as heir, the King of England was happy to not just provide, but provide above and beyond. Ultimately, he rescued a Baldwin from a life of slavery and he was the only one who could of done so.
This reminded me of the ransom given on our behalf. Of course it is not a perfect analogy and there are limitations, but here is what I found to hold true.
1) This world does not hold the means of our salvation. There is nothing we can do or find here on earth that will free us from our sins and the slavery they have led us to.
2) We to should ultimately come to the conclusion that there is only one place we can look to for our "freedom". The highest power we know.
3) We are "heirs" to a great kingdom and the true king wants to help us realize our rightful, created position.
4) The King (God) doesn't just provide for our need, but lavishes us with more then we could ask. We don't just receive ransom from our sins, but the giving of the Holy Spirit as a sign of our redemption.
5) This ransom rescues us from a life of slavery to sin and an eternity in hell.
Of course, this analogy also has limitations. In truth, the ransom paid by Christ is not to any external foe who owns us, God's creation. He pays the ransom to God the Father himself. He ultimately pays it to uphold the righteousness and justice that Holy God demands as recompense for sin against him. Christ, was the "only mediator" that could possible do this. The only place man has to turn for hope. In every way, the freedom that he provides, is much greater then even that experienced by Baldwin.
I then spent a few minutes on the end of verse 6. Here we are told that God waited until the perfect time to reveal Christ to man. This is interesting because Revelation tells us that he was the "Lamb" slain before the foundation of the world. We also know from Hebrews 11 that many men such as Abraham were counted as "Righteous" before God many years before God chose to reveal Christ to humankind. They were counted righteous because of their "faith" in God and God alone for the promises given to them.
God was working in selected men, producing faith, and salvation through Christ before he even came. Yet there was a time that was perfect for his revelation to all men and God chose it specifically. We should never forget that God is working out a great plan with great timing. Not just in our lives, but throughout History.
We often ask questions about all of those who never heard the name of Christ and sometimes God is questioned in His justice. Yet God assures us here his timing was perfect for all of mankind to best fulfill HIS PURPOSE on earth.
I put these verses together as I think they tend to flow together in Paul's line of thinking and are really creating a general point of Christ as the "only". These verses follow Paul's urging to pray for kings and those in charge so that a society of peace might be created that the gospel might flow through readily. This is desireable as God desires that all men be saved. Paul, then again emphasizes to Timothy how they are saved through "the only".
This was one of those great days were I went over the verse as I left and was actually quite discouraged. The verse (6) was one I knew well and I recited it I had little belief I would be "awed" during this walk. Boy, was I wrong and felt bad for my attitude towards Scripture. I think a believer needs to always approach the Word of God with a feeling that God has something great to share. I didn't leave the house that way, but I did return so.
As I walked, the first word I found my self stuck on was "gave". I thought a lot about this verb and eventually ended up thinking about the idea of a gift. I felt this fit the context well and in exchange, I read the verse to myself "he gifted himself as a ransom for all men". His sacrifice truly was a gift for all mankind. We tend to think of gift when we think of the baby Jesus at Christmas and the "sacrifice" of Christ on the cross. The whole of God's sending from birth, to teaching ministry, to death on the cross and ressurection was all part of the "gift" that God offered up to man. In fact, I would argue that the "gift" of greatest value was his taking my sins on the cross. This idea just wrung with me as I walked. The idea of a gift for every man.
What was the essence of this gift, "a ransom". I did not want to get stuck on all of the issues surrounded with this word in the verse, but I did spend a great deal of time thinking about this word. Luckily, I just finished the book "Downfall, of the Crusader Kingdom". In this book, continually Muslims or Christians were capturing one another and ransoming freedom for money or land. Because of this, the idea of ransom was fresh in my mind. As I thought through this, a story from the book struck very close to home.
During the time of the Crusades, there was a man named Baldwin of Iberia. During a time he had been selected as the proper husband to be for the would be Queen of Jerusalem. In essence, he was eventually going to become the next king of Jerusalem. But then, during a skirmish with the Muslim army he was taken captive. Saladin new the treasure he had in Baldwin and asked for a ransom that literally was unobtainable in the kingdom. Despite this problem, Baldwin promised to find the money and on this promise Saladin released him. He searched the entire kingdom of Outremer and could only come up with a small portion of the needed money. So what did he do? The only thing he could, he sailed to a faraway kingdom, invoking the highest power he knew (The King of England). Because of his place as heir, the King asked Baldwin to sit in a chair, the story then goes that the King had endless sacks of gold brought in and dropped on Baldwin until it covered him head to toe. Because of his place as heir, the King of England was happy to not just provide, but provide above and beyond. Ultimately, he rescued a Baldwin from a life of slavery and he was the only one who could of done so.
This reminded me of the ransom given on our behalf. Of course it is not a perfect analogy and there are limitations, but here is what I found to hold true.
1) This world does not hold the means of our salvation. There is nothing we can do or find here on earth that will free us from our sins and the slavery they have led us to.
2) We to should ultimately come to the conclusion that there is only one place we can look to for our "freedom". The highest power we know.
3) We are "heirs" to a great kingdom and the true king wants to help us realize our rightful, created position.
4) The King (God) doesn't just provide for our need, but lavishes us with more then we could ask. We don't just receive ransom from our sins, but the giving of the Holy Spirit as a sign of our redemption.
5) This ransom rescues us from a life of slavery to sin and an eternity in hell.
Of course, this analogy also has limitations. In truth, the ransom paid by Christ is not to any external foe who owns us, God's creation. He pays the ransom to God the Father himself. He ultimately pays it to uphold the righteousness and justice that Holy God demands as recompense for sin against him. Christ, was the "only mediator" that could possible do this. The only place man has to turn for hope. In every way, the freedom that he provides, is much greater then even that experienced by Baldwin.
I then spent a few minutes on the end of verse 6. Here we are told that God waited until the perfect time to reveal Christ to man. This is interesting because Revelation tells us that he was the "Lamb" slain before the foundation of the world. We also know from Hebrews 11 that many men such as Abraham were counted as "Righteous" before God many years before God chose to reveal Christ to humankind. They were counted righteous because of their "faith" in God and God alone for the promises given to them.
God was working in selected men, producing faith, and salvation through Christ before he even came. Yet there was a time that was perfect for his revelation to all men and God chose it specifically. We should never forget that God is working out a great plan with great timing. Not just in our lives, but throughout History.
We often ask questions about all of those who never heard the name of Christ and sometimes God is questioned in His justice. Yet God assures us here his timing was perfect for all of mankind to best fulfill HIS PURPOSE on earth.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
1 Timothy 2:2-4
"for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Since I have not gotten a chance to blog in the last couple of days, I have decided to combing my thoughts on these three verses that are part of the same though train by Paul.
After, urging Timothy to offer all types of prayers for all types of people, Paul gets a little more pointed. He tells Timothy to first pray for rulers and kings. As I thought about this, it was rather unexpected. Honestly I have to admit that I rarely pray for my President or the President of Mexico. Generally, only when I am reminded to do so by some verse or some well meaning believer. I of course in stead always pray first for my loved ones (family, then friends and aquaintences).
Now, I don't think this is a command that the first prayers you offer up on a daily basis need to always be for the rulers of countries, but Paul is placing these prayers in a position of upmost importance. Why?
1) Because Prayer Can Change Countries--As citizens (democracy or no) we rarely feel like we can change the direction of our countries. God is saying in essence "I Can, Just Ask Me!"
2) God Can Change the Hearts of Rulers (ex Nebuchanezzer) I have learned in life that we as people generally struggle to take criticism (constructive or not) from people that we consider to be "lower" then ourselves. Right or not, I think this tends to be our prideful human response to being corrected by someone for which we have little respect. Kings I think are no different, but God can change kings.
3) The Gospel spreads best in a society where order and human dignity are prevalent (There are exceptions), but verse 3 tends to be telling us this very thing. Now this does not mean Government and Societies open to the gospel, but societies where general human dignity is allowed. (Ex China no ways promotes the gospel or freedom of speech, but does promote a society of order and general human dignity, on the other hand Afghanistan promotes neither, including a society where women have little to no dignity.) Within this order (peace), yet no support, the gospel has flurished. This as I said is not the case every time, but order, peace, and dignity are desired greatly by God and in some sense can better aid the spread of his gospel. Only rulers can truly work to create such a peace and that allows believers to live a godly and holy life free of persecution.
4) God desires that all men be saved (verse 4). God can accomplish this in many ways, but he knows that changes in rulers can open up doors for the gospel that never existed (Ex. Fall of Communism/Berlin Wall and the doors that were opened for the gospel following).
Since I have not gotten a chance to blog in the last couple of days, I have decided to combing my thoughts on these three verses that are part of the same though train by Paul.
After, urging Timothy to offer all types of prayers for all types of people, Paul gets a little more pointed. He tells Timothy to first pray for rulers and kings. As I thought about this, it was rather unexpected. Honestly I have to admit that I rarely pray for my President or the President of Mexico. Generally, only when I am reminded to do so by some verse or some well meaning believer. I of course in stead always pray first for my loved ones (family, then friends and aquaintences).
Now, I don't think this is a command that the first prayers you offer up on a daily basis need to always be for the rulers of countries, but Paul is placing these prayers in a position of upmost importance. Why?
1) Because Prayer Can Change Countries--As citizens (democracy or no) we rarely feel like we can change the direction of our countries. God is saying in essence "I Can, Just Ask Me!"
2) God Can Change the Hearts of Rulers (ex Nebuchanezzer) I have learned in life that we as people generally struggle to take criticism (constructive or not) from people that we consider to be "lower" then ourselves. Right or not, I think this tends to be our prideful human response to being corrected by someone for which we have little respect. Kings I think are no different, but God can change kings.
3) The Gospel spreads best in a society where order and human dignity are prevalent (There are exceptions), but verse 3 tends to be telling us this very thing. Now this does not mean Government and Societies open to the gospel, but societies where general human dignity is allowed. (Ex China no ways promotes the gospel or freedom of speech, but does promote a society of order and general human dignity, on the other hand Afghanistan promotes neither, including a society where women have little to no dignity.) Within this order (peace), yet no support, the gospel has flurished. This as I said is not the case every time, but order, peace, and dignity are desired greatly by God and in some sense can better aid the spread of his gospel. Only rulers can truly work to create such a peace and that allows believers to live a godly and holy life free of persecution.
4) God desires that all men be saved (verse 4). God can accomplish this in many ways, but he knows that changes in rulers can open up doors for the gospel that never existed (Ex. Fall of Communism/Berlin Wall and the doors that were opened for the gospel following).
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