1 Timothy begins with some warnings and instructions about making a command of certain men ("not to teach false doctrines any longer..."). At the close of chapter 1 Paul tells his beloved disciple, Timothy:
"Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."
Now, is that some intence "calling out," or what? Paul named these guys and their rejection of the faith is on permanent record in Scripture. Whoa. Tough move!
Paul also talks straight about some false teachers, who "promote controversies rather than God's work -- which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and good conscience and a sincere faith." (the very things Paul was hoping Timothy to hold on to)
Paul continues: "Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaninglless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm."
Whoa! Paul is not holding back, is he?
He then explains: "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers -- and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which He entrusted to me."
Implied in this is that the righteous, filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit, are not slaves to sin and its power any more. Perfection? Not quite; but free from sin. Is there a difference between being a "sinner" and being "sinful?"
It's interesting to see "slave traders" in that list of people given over to sin. My daughters are learning about the Civil War and slavery and we were listening to a book about Dred Scott today. I'm so glad they are learning about the atrocities of slavery. My hope is that they will nurture a tender hearts towards those whose ancestors were so horribly mistreated as property only 150 years ago. I want them to have pure hearts and not get tainted by the evil of prejudice. I can't imagine the filthy guilt a slave trader must've felt for selling husbands separate from their wives and children -- tearing apart families for a buck. I am blown away and quite mystified by the faith of our dear and beautiful black brothers and sisters. Why would slaves adopt, accept and worship the God of their evil masters? I'd like to study that "mission work," as it's a miracle any slaves turned to the God that allowed their masters to be so cruel and inhuman.
The new issue (Mar/Apr, #118) of HM is in the mail (along with a Hard Music Sampler CD) to subscribers. The latest issue of Heaven's Metal Fanzine (Feb/Mar, #62) is also in the mail. Our new stickers and "Pit Moves" posters are here. I'm so excited to have them around. I'm looking forward to that cool yellow and large printed shirt -- "Pit Move #5," which will hopefull be around soon. Lord willing, next week will show some updated content on this site. Have a blessed weekend! I plan on seeing Plumb (with my family) and Pilotdrift over the weekend.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 17, 2006 02:39 PM