Our study of the book of 1 Timothy continues:
God’s Love and His grace is always at work. That is what our role in minstry should also emulate. We need to promote God’s work in our actions and in our discussion. Our role is to remain focused on Christ and His work instead of meaningless arguments and discussions (1 Timothy 1:3-4). We are to operate in a sincere faith and with an act of love. That comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ based in love for Him. When you love God, it is a way that keeps you from sin, because you continue to find ways to honor God in your service for Him. “Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).” Jesus taught all of us to love one another in order that everyone who knows you will see the demonstration of Christ in your life (John 13:34-35; 14:15; 15:9-13). All of this is based upon God’s declaration of His love for us (John 3:16). We also need to remember that God loves each and every one of us, but we make a choice to have a relationship with Him, and that, while He still loves us, we can condemn ourselves by not trusting in Him as Lord and Savior (John 3:17-18). We are to minister to others with love and with a pure heart (Philippians 2:3-4), and not for our own personal goals or ambitions. We do this with the understanding that not everyone will be receptive to the message or our ministry–but ministry with love is what ultimately conquers all (1 Corithians 13). Our hope in ministry is that those we are reaching will see that we are operating and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. We do not do so with sn expectation of receiving thanks from others for what we do. We are to minister with a good, clean conscience (Hebrews 9:9-10, 14) and a sincere faith (Philippians 1:21; John 12:24-26). It is much more important to serve God with sincerity than just showing outward appearances and religious gestures that will not help anyone achieve eternal life through salvation in Jesus Christ. It is all about the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
“Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. Now we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately (1 Timothy 1:6-8).” It is not about performing or saying things on our own behalf–to do this is service without a sincere faith, or performing just to be seen by others or to make oneself look good. God’s Word is best presented when it is done with the yielding to the Holy Spirit, for it is the law that proclaims the need for a Savior by revealing sin and shortcomings in one’s life (1 Timothy 1:9-11). The law is not for the righteous, but for those that are rebellious, ungodly, sinful, and those without regard for sound doctrine. Paul is informing Timothy that he will be dealing with all of this within the very walls of the church. He reminds him that he, himself, was at one time like those people he was referring to (1 Timothy 1:12-17). Paul declared to Timothy that God did so much for him because of God’s grace and mercy upon him, and because God did all of this for him, He can certainly do the same for others among the lost. It is a powerful message of love and encouragement that our ministry is not in vain! God calls us to serve Him, and we are to do so with a loving heart and with a sincere faith in Him. In your service to Him, however, always remember that you are in a spiritual battle (2 Corinthians 10:3-4), and to not give up and lose heart and your faith in the course of the battle.
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