Reconnect Doctrine to its Goal

Instead of reading through the Bible end-to-end this year, I’m slowly reading and studying Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. They’re called “pastoral epistles” because Paul wrote them to these two men who were, you guessed it, pastors. Paul is instructing them specifically as pastors, who are not only preaching the gospel but discipling people, training leaders, and leading local churches to maturity.

From the very onset of 1 Timothy, Paul restates Timothy’s responsibility:

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions…

1 Timothy 1:2-3a

Timothy, as you’re training the next generation of teachers, give them the same responsibility that I gave to you. They must teach the doctrine that I taught you, and stay away from unverifiable stories (fables), and unanswerable, speculative questions (endless genealogies). Plainly enough, Timothy and the disciples he taught were to remain centered on the doctrines that Paul had received from the Lord which were applicable to His church.

Sometimes we know our “what” and forget our “why.” Timothy certainly knew what to do, but Paul (and God, because this is His Word, inspired and preserved for us) is also careful to connect the “what” to the “why.”

Doctrine, rightly understood and taught, accomplishes “godly edifying which is in faith,” (v4). It reproduces Christ’s life in the believer. When a Christian with a faith-filled heart rightly understands and believes the Word of God, he cannot but change on the inside and manifest that change on the outside. And here is the critical question… what are the marks of godly change? What are the goals for which God is striving through his Holy Spirit and by His Word? Paul states that plainly enough. It appears there are (at least) three goals, and I’ve marked them within the verse for emphasis.

Now the end of the commandment is (1) charity out of a pure heart, and of (2) a good conscience, and of (3) faith unfeigned.

1 Timothy 1:5

The goal (end) of the the commandment to teach right doctrine is clear. Charity is the pinnacle of Christian maturity (see 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 3:14). A good conscience enables a believer to live a holy life unto God apart from religious checklists (see 1 Corinthians 8 and 10), which is also a mark of spiritual maturity. Faith unfeigned is simple, genuine faith lived before God because He is the true and living God and everlasting king. These three goals are the “why” of the “what.” Timothy and the pastors he instructed needed to understand that faithful teaching of doctrine had to be connected to the goal of godly maturity, which maturity could be shown by these 3 characteristics.

Here’s where this reaches me this morning. I want to do a better job connecting God’s doctrine to God’s goal in my life. My devotions must not only reach my mind, they must also reach my heart. I need to begin with the recognition that doctrine has a goal of bringing about Christ’s life in mine, so that charity, a good conscience, and genuine faith are visibly reproduced to the glory of God.

-C.R.