Year End

It was 10 years ago that God had mercy on me and regenerated my will to enable me to receive Christ as my Lord and Saviour. To commemorate a decade of Christian worship and service I spent some time in 2006 reflecting on God’s innumerable blessings He so graciously granted to me this last year, and indeed, over the last decade.

I echo the Psalmist: “Blessed be God, because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me!” (Psalm 66:20). How awesome are God’s deeds toward His Church, for “The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt” (Psalm 93:1).

This year has been one of joyful surrender to God’s plan as I grappled with unexpected obstacles and detours but rejoiced in God’s sovereignty. I was privileged to witness God’s amazing transformative power in the lives of several friends as their hostility toward God melted into obedience. How wonderful it has been to see God turn their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh, an act that God choose to enact within me a decade earlier.

I love Paul’s words of encouragement to Titus. “For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

His words remind me that God continues to draw the elect to Himself. My prayer for 2007 is that I may continue to mature in Christ as I seek to grow in obedience and humility for the sake of the gospel and for God’s glory.

Saints

Heather Mallick’s columns are informative because they provide interesting insight into the worldview of a member of the political left secular elite. Her most recent column, celebrating the ‘saints and standouts’ of 2006 is a whose who of the left-wing world.

Martha Hall Findlay, Ségolçne Royal, Elizabeth May, Michelle Bachelet and Nancy Pelosi are all her list (all happen to be left-wing politicians) Other ‘saints’ on her list are Amnesty International, Robert Fisk, Stéphane Dion, Linda McQuaig and Richard Dawkins.

According to Ms. Mallick, Antonia Zerbisias “is the only Canadian journalist who tells the truth about Canadian journalism”.[i]

Sure.

I find it amusing she used the term saint, for she is a frequent critic of religion. She clearly misunderstands what a saint is.

A saint is not someone who devotes his or her life to combating climate change, critiquing Israel, or arguing that teaching religion to children is child abuse.

Saints are those who are loved by God (Romans 1:7) and to whom have been revealed God’s truth (Colossians 1:26).

[i] Heather Mallick, “Saints & standouts 2006” CBC, 25 Dec 2006. Accessed 26 Dec 2006. Available:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_mallick/20061225.html

1 Timothy 6:2-21

Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you were made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of Christ Jesus, who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will display at the proper time – He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. (1 Timothy 6:2-20)

Paul returns to the issue of false teachers and notes that those who teach falsely do it because they are puffed up with conceit and crave controversy. This is interesting, because according to Paul the false teachers were probably teaching incorrect truths because they enjoyed the problems it caused and the tension that ensued.

Paul continues that Christians can be content because Christ meets their needs. He warns that those who desire to be rich will fall into a temptation that plunges them into ruin and destruction. Verse 10 couldn’t be clearer. Loving money is a root of all kinds of evil. Even a superficial study of world history reveals how accurate Paul’s statement is.

Instead of money, Paul reminds Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness (and) gentleness.”

Paul’s next instruction has been a wonderful source of comfort for Christians throughout the generations. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you were made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” He reminds Timothy not to become complacent, and that while life in Christ begins new life, the goal of the Christian life is always the future. Further, eternal life is not something people naturally choose, but something to which God calls us.

The ‘good confession in the presence of many witnesses’ probably refers to Timothy’s baptism. The ‘good confession’ that one has come to faith in Christ leads naturally into the ‘good fight’ of seeking to live in faithfulness to Him. ‘Before Pontius Pilate made the good confession’ may refer to Jesus’ trial before Pilate, but also may be an allusion to His death.

Paul continues with a sweeping statement of God’s majesty as ‘the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To Him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.”

Having condemned the love of money and affirmed the future orientation of Christian hope, Paul provides an exhortation for those who find themselves wealthy.

I love what Paul writes, saying that the wealthy shouldn’t trust their riches but instead, should be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, so that “they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Amen to that! Indeed the abundant life in Christ is fully enjoyed by reaching out to the poor and providing for the material needs of others.

Paul ends the letter with one final charge to Timothy, once again set in the context of dealing with the false teachers. Timothy is to guard the deposit entrusted to him (the sound doctrine of the gospel) and avoid the false ‘knowledge’. This word, in fact is gnosis in Greek, from which the word Gnosticism is derived.

“Grace be with you” is an abrupt conclusion, lacking Paul’s usual personal greetings. This suggests that Paul saw the situation he was addressing to be serious.

1 Timothy is an important book for it provides guidance for good leadership in the church and instructions for the treatment of different groups of people. All – from a Christian family’s care for its widows to a Christian slave’s obedience – should be done out of a desire to bring God pleasure. For indeed, that should be the great motive in all our actions.

1 Timothy 5:17-25, 6-1-2

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, and, the labourer deserves his wages. Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear latter. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. (1 Timothy 5:17-35)

Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. (1 Timothy 6:1-2)

Paul now returns his attention to the elders in the church. As with the widows, he addresses the two issues of proper honour for elders and how to deal with those who sin. The double honour Paul is referring to is the honour of the position as well as financial remuneration.

In referring to those who especially labour in preaching and teaching, Paul is speaking about two kinds of elders: those who govern the church and those who, in addition, carry out the more specialized ministry of preaching and teaching.

Verse 18 is interesting because Paul cites both Deuteronomy 25:4 and a saying of Jesus recorded in Luke 10:7 as ‘Scripture’. This is an indication of how soon Christian writings were being placed on the same level of authority as the Old Testament.

Paul reminds Timothy that financial payment to leaders in the church is important. He also encourages the public rebuke of leaders who continue to sin.

The elect angels he refers to are those who will presumably serve as witnesses at the Judgment (Matthew 25:31).

Paul, in keeping with his common theme of perjuring and preventing false teachers from leading the believers astray, warns that to participate in the ordination of an elder (Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands) known to be unqualified is to approve of his sins and to risk sharing the guilt. He makes another reference to the importance of care in screening candidates for ordination: “The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment”.

People who think Christians should drink alcohol sometimes quote verse 23. Paul probably mentioned it here because the practice of abstaining from wine as a matter of principle reflects the influence of the false teachers’ concept of purity. Paul, in contrast, recognizes a medicinal value of wine.

He then briefly discusses the problem of slaves who have not been showing proper respect for their Christian masters and reminds them to treat their masters as brothers in Christ.

1 Timothy 5:1-16

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father. Treat younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity. Honour widows who are truly windows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than un believer.
Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enrol younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing women has relatives who are women, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are really widows (1 Timothy 5:1-16)


Paul reminds Timothy not to rebuke an older man as a balance to his previous command not to abuse the authority he possesses. Paul now turns his attention to three groups in which problems had apparently arisen in the church at Ephesus: widows, elders and slaves. Today I will look at his discussion of widows.

In a ‘welfare state’ many people expect the government to take care of the poor. Such an active role for the government, however, is a relatively new concept – and certainly foreign to the church at Ephesus.

Paul’s concern to identify needy widows and provide for their care forms the backdrop for a discussion of the problems of younger windows, some of whom had apparently become influenced by the false teaching at Ephesus. It is interesting to note that the care of widows, who often had material needs, is a major theme in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 24:19-21, Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 22:3, Zechariah 7:9, 10, Malachi 3:5).

“She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day..” (v. 5) Poverty usually drove widows to exemplary lives of prayer and faithful dependence upon God. For such widows, the church was the visible hand of God in providing for their needs.

Verse 10 is in the past tense because Paul’s concern is not with what the widow might still do for the church but with what she has accomplished in her life.

Paul adds that the church should not replace the responsibility of the family to care for the widows, so as to unnecessarily burden the church (at the expense of those who truly need help).

I will look at Paul’s comments regarding elders, Lord-willing, next time.

1 Timothy 4:11-16

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers (1 Timothy 4:11-16)


There are some verses that stick in my mind. 1 Timothy 4:12 is one of them. It was the basis for my first e-mail address and was one of the earliest Scriptures I memorized. Paul wrote this probably because Timothy was timid and some at the church in Ephesus may not have accepted his authority. The significance, for me, has changed over the years. Note that some translations say set an example ‘for’ the believers, others versions are ‘of’ the believers. The meaning does change, but Paul’s exhortation to live a holy life to God’s glory does not.

In high school 1 Timothy 4:12 was an encouragement to me because very soon after the Lord converted me, He brought me to an understanding of the expectation of seeing myself set apart for Him.

In university 1 Timothy 4:12 was an encouragement to me because I embraced the joy of striving to live in obedience to the Lord and setting an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

Now that I’m back at the church I attended in high school I am encouraged by 1 Timothy because I sometimes feel as though I’m treated differently by the other members because I’m young(er). I stand out. The next youngest regular attendee is 19 months old. The next oldest is in his mid-30s.

It’s very kind that one of the older men often offers me candy on Sunday, albeit a little strange. He doesn’t, to my knowledge, offer anyone else candy. Some members are surprised when I pray aloud in the congregation or lead the services. They act astounded that I have, at least, a basic understanding of theology.

I will continue to be encouraged by this verse, because it’s a good reminder that my youth should not prevent me from service in the church.

Paul reminds Timothy of the importance of the “public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” These coupled with the proper administration of the ordinances, sum up how God intends corporate worship to be.

In recent years, the seeker sensitive movement has influenced how much of the evangelical world frames the purpose of Sunday worship. It’s a time, they say, to reach out to the unchurched by avoiding offensive subjects and also an opportunity for expressions of praise through interpretive dance, skits, comical monologues and other diversions.

D.A. Carson writes, “A congregation so concerned not to cause offense that it manages to entertain and amuse but never to worship God either in the way it lives or in its corporate life carries little credibility (there’s that word again!) to a burned-out postmodern generation that rejects linear thought yet hungers for integrity of relationships.”[i] (60)

Teaching, preaching and the reading of the Word are so important because it exposes the false teachers and neutralizes their impact. And that ensures God-glorifying, Christ-centred worship. Or, as Carson wrote, “This side the Fall, human worship of God properly responds to the redemptive provision that God has graciously made”[ii]

Paul also points to the outcome of solid teaching. “Practice these things, devote yourself to them so that all may see your progress.” This is a reference to the advancement of Timothy’s spiritual life and his ministry. It’s interesting to note that it is ‘progress’ not arrival.

Paul then summarizes his previous points by reminding Timothy that keeping a close watch on himself (12) and the teaching (13) will save both himself and his hearers.

God alone grants salvation, but He is pleased to use His people as instruments in bringing salvation to others. Salvation, of course, is not completed when one comes to faith. Faith brings justification and assurance of salvation. But faith also begins the lifelong process of sanctification that continues until the Christian is promoted to glory (glorification) in heaven.

[i] DA Carson, “Worship under the Word” in DA Carson ed Worship by the Book. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. pp. 11-63 (p 60).
[ii] Ibid, p. 38.

1 Timothy 4:6-10

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness: for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe (1 Timothy 4:6-10).

Googling ‘Health’ yields 918 million hits. There are, in comparison, 405 million hits for ‘God’, 48.6 million for ‘Christianity’ and 32 million for ‘Jesus Christ’.

This isn't surprising. For a culture infatuated by youthfulness, physical appearance and health is constantly seeking salvation through the next big drug, or breakthrough treatment or experiment. Paul recognizes that ‘bodily training is of some value’ but ‘godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come’. This verse often comes to mind when joggers pass me as I walk to church Sunday morning.

Godliness (eusebeia) emanates from reverence, piousness and obedience.

Having exposed the false teachers, Paul continues with a series of personal admonitions to Timothy regarding his ministry by intertwining spiritual discipline with official duties.

Paul reminds Timothy that a good servant is one who is trained and ‘nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine’ (KJV) and one who avoids silly fables. And those who are nourished in the words of faith do so “because of the hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Paul is referring to the general call to repentance and salvation extended to all people when he writes ‘Saviour of all people’. He adds 'especially of those who believe’ to proclaim that salvation is God’s gift, to those who trust in His provision in Christ (Romans 8:30).