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I am grateful for the simple power of the Word. I know in the past I have made things more complicated than they needed to be; that is the weakness and sometimes paralyzing characteristic of somebody who tends to (try to) be a thinker. I can look at a problem, see a myriad of solutions, but also another myriad of potential problems associated with the aforementioned solutions. And so ensues “analysis paralysis.” There is certainly a need (I hope) for people who are willing to think through complex problems thoroughly.

The Word of God provides us simple truths that have God’s power. The gospel of Christ has power to save those that believe. When a lost man’s eyes are opened to the truth of righteousness, sin, and judgment, he must simply believe and call upon Christ to save him. Once saved, then comes the question again and again: “How then shall I live?” How can I in all of my roles be a good example of Christ to others? Paul lays out a two-step process in 1 Timothy 4:15 for Timothy to follow that he promises will bring profit.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

1 Timothy 4:15

There it is. Step 1… Meditate upon these things. What things? Sanctifying truth! Biblical meditation is to think deeply (long and hard) on the Word so as to receive understanding from the Holy Spirit. This is called “illumination,” (John 16:13). Our meditation is as simple as our quiet considering of the Word so that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (who leads and guides us into all truth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, 1 Corinthians 2:13) may show us the meaning of the Scriptures before us. Another word that carries this same idea is “study.” We study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15), who promises to that the indwelling Holy Spirit will instruct us. The promise and presence of the Holy Spirit ought to give us the faith to study/meditate! I don’t meditate so that I may find “my meaning,” or “a meaning,” or discover a myriad of “possible meanings,” but rather I do my part (meditate) so that He may do his (illuminate). The other day a friend reminded me that the only time the word “success” occurs in the Scripture is Joshua 1:8, which is especially valuable given our consideration of steps toward profit. Look and you’ll see that to “meditate” is the first step toward the outcome of success/profit.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8

We could consider Paul’s next instruction in 1 Timothy 4:15 as a second step or a description of effort. “Give thyself wholly to them.” It’s commonly said, “you get what you pay for.” Proverbs 23:23 instructs us to “buy the truth, and sell it not.” If we occasionally study the Word, and occasionally live by it, others cannot profit. Read it again… they cannot profit. Occasional faith is no faith at all. Occasional obedience is no obedience at all. An occasional follower of Christ is no disciple. We must let our lives be reshaped entirely by the Lord. If we give ourselves whole-heartedly to God and His Word, it is then that He promises profit. What is that profit comprised of in particular? It can only be a Christ-glorifying example. Timothy’s profiting that appears to all is not a worldly or carnal gain for himself, it is a Christ-centered life that believers can see in real-time and color. It is wonderful and desirable. It is marked by charity, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, (1 Timothy 1:5).

Any believer who understands who he is in Christ and what awaits him in God’s kingdom and glory wants to make a difference in this life. Where to begin! We begin by a commitment to meditate upon the Word, and give our lives entirely to the obedience of Christ. Then, and only then, will our lives make the right kind of difference. It is that simple.

C.R.

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.

When we read the third commandment in Exodus 20:7 (and Deuteronomy 5:11) it appears simple enough: “thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” This particular command is fixed as the scriptural anchor for not using God’s name as a profanity.

I think there is more being addressed here than wrong “use” of God’s name, especially since the command is to not “take” God’s name in vain. What does it mean to “take” one’s name as your own? It means there is a claim to identity. When Amanda became by wife, I took her hand and she took my name. This was not only a traditional change but also a legally binding change.

Furthermore, what’s in a name? What meaning or identity comes from a name? The Bible says a “good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, (Proverbs 22:1).” We can’t shake the reality that names have meaning. People tend to value and protect their good name. In the past young people were admonished to behave in a way that was becoming of their name. One’s name carried with it respect or disrespect, provoked warm thoughts or brought up old wounds.

The Lord has many names that help us understand his person and character, and in the New Testament there were a group of believers who were called Christians because they resembled Christ in character and preached his gospel, (Acts 11:26). For those that came up with it, Christian was a term of derision, but for the disciple and follower of Christ it was not, (1 Peter 4:16). To take the Lord’s name and be identified with him was something for which to glorify God.

Are you a Christian? By that I am not referring to your politics, economics, or worldview. I simply mean, have you repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Are you born again? If so, very good! Praise the Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new, (2 Corinthians 5:17). With salvation comes the promise and work of sanctification. As we grow and yield to the Holy Spirit he leads and guides us into all truth found in the Word of God. We change and our lives begin to resemble Christ’s. Others may begin to mark the growth and change and identify or even call us a Christian. When we accept that name we are declaring ourselves to be disciples and followers of Christ.

This is where the third commandment comes to bear. If we are going to be disciples of Christ and are going to “take his name,” we ought not take it in vain. We ought not take it lightly, but take it seriously. I suspect if you’re reading this blog you probably already do, but as we continue to grow and teach others what it means to be a Christian, we must communicate the weight of importance that comes with identifying with Christ. Let’s not take his name in vain.

-C.R.