|
Proverbs
10:1-12 Rewards of righteousness
1 Timothy 1:1-17 Sound doctrine
Matthew 12:22-32 The source of Jesus’ power
These maxims contrast a series of virtues with corresponding vices and
teach the consequences of actions. Children who learn and show wisdom
delight their parents but those who don’t are a disappointment. Any
short-term gain from wickedness is made worthless by the ultimate
consequences “but righteousness delivers from death” (Proverbs 10:2b).
The Lord provides for the righteous, but will not permit the wicked to
find satisfaction.
People will be rewarded according to what they do.
The righteous will be blessed and the wicked will be punished (but not
necessarily in this world). Those who are wise are those who obey God’s
word; those who disobey God’s word are fools who will come to ruin. “He
who walks in integrity, walks securely, but he who perverts his way
will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). He who tolerates unrighteousness
(“winks his eye”; Proverbs 10:10) causes trouble, but those who reprove
unrighteousness make peace. Righteous people say things that promote
life, but the wicked use their voices to destroy. “Hatred stirs up
strife, but love covers all offenses” (Proverbs 10:12).
This letter, apparently written by Paul (or a disciple of Paul) to
Timothy, urges him to defend sound doctrine in the face of false
teachings arising in the Church. Timothy, the pastor of the
congregation, was urged by his mentor not to allow individuals to teach
different doctrines [than the apostolic (as taught by the apostles),
scriptural (as recorded in the Bible) doctrines which Timothy had
received from Paul], nor to allow “theological” speculation to supplant
discipleship.*
The goal of the ministry of the Gospel is love (not a
romantic emotion, but genuine, self-sacrificing concern for the
wellbeing of others, like God’s own love for us) which results from a
pure heart and clear conscience (by the forgiveness which is only
possible through Jesus Christ) and by sincere faith in Jesus. People
who deviate from this go astray into useless discussion. They desire to
be teachers of God’s word without having understood it or having
experienced the truth of it.
God’s Law is good if it is used
correctly. But the Law was written not for the righteous, but for the
lawless, the disobedient, the ungodly, and sinners; the unholy and
profane. Murder, immorality, homosexuality,** lying and perjury are
specifically categorized as sinful, ungodly, and under condemnation,
along with any other (unspecified) behaviors which are contrary to
God’s word.
Paul rejoiced that God had forgiven him because Paul had
acted in ignorance and unbelief. God appointed Paul to the ministry of
the Gospel, even though Paul had previously persecuted the faith.
Jesus’ mission was not to condemn, but to save, sinners (John 3:16-17).
Paul acknowledged himself to have been among the worst of sinners. Yet
he praised God that in himself God’s great mercy and perfect patience
might be clearly demonstrated as an example to those who would believe
in Jesus Christ and receive eternal life.
A blind and mute demoniac was brought to Jesus who healed him so that
he spoke and saw. The people were amazed and began to seriously
consider that Jesus might be the “Son of David” (the Messiah, the heir
to David’s throne). But the Pharisees said that Jesus was casting out
demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons.
Jesus knew their thoughts, and replied that a kingdom which is divided
against itself is destroyed. The same is
true of a city or a family. Therefore, if Satan is divided against
himself how could his kingdom stand?
There were also Jewish exorcists
at the time, of which the Pharisees approved, so Jesus asked the
Pharisees whether these others also cast out demons by Beelzebul. On the other hand, Jesus suggested,
if Jesus was casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom
of God was appearing. Jesus compared his exorcism to the plundering of
the house of a strong man; the strong man must first be restrained.
Jesus said that those who do not work with Jesus are working against
him. Jesus declared that every sin and blasphemy is forgivable except
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Speaking against Jesus Christ is
forgivable but speaking evil of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven
now or ever.
God’s word is true, divine wisdom, by which the world was created, in
contrast to false, worldly wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; 1 Corinthians
1:18-24; see journal entries for Monday, June 7th and following).
Obedience to God’s word is wisdom and life. Those who disregard God’s
word are fools who will come to ruin. [God’s word will never direct you
to harm yourself or others. If you believe God is directing you to do
anything that would endanger yourself or others you are wrong.]
The problems addressed in the letter to Timothy were caused by false
teachers who deviated from God’s word, the Bible, and from the true
Gospel of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the Apostles and recorded in
the Bible. False teaching and false doctrine has been a problem for the
Church since its beginning. Too often Church leaders have disregarded
the warnings to Timothy not to allow the teaching of different
doctrines (1 Timothy 1:3) or to occupy themselves with “theological”
speculations (1 Timothy 1:4 RSV).
There is a lot of “theological”
speculation going on in Seminaries and Church Universities
today. The issue of homosexuality is just one example of “different
doctrines” being taught in Churches today. Another problem is of those
desiring to be teachers of the “word” without understanding the things
about which they make assertions (1 Timothy
1:7). Church administrators are ordaining ministers who have been
“educated” in “theological speculation” in Seminaries but haven’t been discipled, and have not been filled with the
indwelling Holy Spirit. People are attracted to the ministry as a
career and are becoming mere “peddlers of the word” (2 Corinthians
2:17).
How are we doing, Church? Are we gathering with Jesus, or are we
scattering? Jesus’ last command to his disciples was to make disciples,
and to teach them to obey all that Jesus had commanded (Matthew
28:18-20 RSV). Are we working for unity in the Body of Christ by
adherence to sound Biblical doctrine, or are we dividing the Church
with different, non-Biblical doctrines? Are we hindering people from
believing in Jesus because we’re arguing over doctrine or authority?
Are we glorifying the Lord or bringing him reproach?
What can an individual do? No understanding of doctrine can substitute
for a personal relationship with Jesus! Commit yourself to be a
disciple of Jesus Christ, and to obey his word. Begin by reading the
entire Bible. Anyone can read the entire Bible in a year or less. There
are several 1-year plans; see Links to Bible Study Tools, sidebar top
right. Spend time daily in Bible reading and prayer. Seek the anointing
of the Holy Spirit, and be guided by the Spirit. Stay away from
Churches that advocate anything other than, or in addition to, the
Bible as the basis of their doctrine: the Bible and “Tradition,” or the
Bible and some other book, for example. Look for a Church that preaches
the whole Bible and that teaches discipleship.
*The word used in the text is from a Greek word meaning to “build up”;
“confirm” (Strong’s #3618). The RSV translates it as (divine)
“training” (or “stewardship,” i.e., the discipline of servanthood).
** From two Greek words meaning “men bedding (or conceiving) with men”
(Strong’s #730 & 2845; see Strong’s #733); i.e., “sodomites,” after
the city of Sodom,
destroyed by God for its homosexual practice (Genesis 19:4-5 (24-25);
men who have unnatural sexual relations with men (and, by extension,
women who have unnatural sexual relations with women). The KJV
translates as: “men defiling themselves with men.”
|