1 Timothy 1:5-11 Inspiring people towards Christ-likeness

1 Timothy 1:5-11

5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Background

The apostle Paul charges Timothy to instil the right culture within the church that is centred on Christ and His virtues. Some men have been teaching the Law inappropriately and stifling the spirit life of the people as a result. Knowing that Jesus comes not to judge but to save, the church is called to the righteous and not to the rebellious. Hence, her teachings must inspire the people towards the likeness of Christ but not to intimidate or manipulate them with laws.

Observation

For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion.

By some men, Paul is referring to the peddlers of strange doctrines who deviate from the goal of promoting a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith into fruitless discussion. Such men harbour a desire to be teachers of the Law even though they are not up to the task. They make confident assertions according to their erroneous understanding having no regard of the damage that may cause to the hearers. What fruitless discussions do they indulge in? They harp on the do’s and don’ts, but not on the source and owner of the virtues, which is Jesus. They focus on the consequences of non-conformance, but do not possess the love, peace and joy of the Spirit. One of the many tasks at hand for Timothy is to reign in these quack teachers and restore the focus of Christ within the church.

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.

In order for the Law to bring about its intended purpose, which is to rescue all men from the age of darkness and reconcile them with God, the Law (the word of God) must be taught lawfully, which is to first draw men towards Christ and fill them with His Spirit. In the process, men are imbued with the virtues of Christ. Paul emphasises the importance of teaching the Law with the end in mind: to promote a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith, which are found in Jesus.

a. Pure heart: Free from corrupt desires, hidden motives and guile. It also describes one who is transparent with his weaknesses, being sincere in all his relationships. One who has a pure heart meant no harm, while always seeking the good in others.
b. Good conscience: Moral consciousness, being able to distinguish right and wrong. One with a good conscience will not easily be taken by deceptive and insidious arguments.
c. Sincere faith: Obeying God’s instructions with pure motives, without pretence. One with sincere faith can be counted on to remain faithful to the end.

In a nutshell, teachers of the Law must help believers commune with Christ, through which they may be imbued with His purity, wisdom to discern and perseverance to do the will of God. In doing so, the teaching of the Law becomes effective and empowering in the task of rescuing the world from sin and death.

Realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person…

Here, “law” as opposed to “the Law” in the preceding statement refers to the commandments that carry a corresponding penalty when violated. Laws with its corresponding penalties serve as deterrents for ungodly men bent on causing harm to society. To such (the lawless and rebellious,… For murderers and immoral men), laws are used to warn, to steer them in the right direction less they incur consequences to regret. But to the righteous, the Law is not to be communicated as laws in the manner declared to the lawless and rebellious. The sons of God are motivated differently, they are largely led by the desire to put on the virtues of Christ and need no deterrents or incentives from laws. Therefore, for the righteous, the emphasis on penalties and reward is muted in preference for truth and love. Laws cannot change lives, but truth planted in the hearts of the righteous become seeds of abundant life.

Nevertheless, the glorious gospel of the blessed God, pronounce due penalty to the lawless and rebellious and eternal life to the righteous. Hence, Paul advocates lawful and sensible use of the Law towards:

a.  the lawless and rebellion by reminding them of the consequences for their actions.
b.  the righteous, by loving and exalting them to acquire Christ’s virtues and commune with Him.

Truth

The church is called not to the lawless and rebellious, but to the righteous.

The inherent desire of the righteous is to acquire the virtues of Jesus: a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith, and to live them out. Hence, the target audience of the church is the righteous, NOT the lawless and the rebellious. Jesus says,

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” John 3:17. 

Now, make no mistake about it, there are those who (likened to the Pharisees) are outwardly righteous, but inwardly lawless. And there are also those who (likened to the thief who responded to Jesus at the cross) are outwardly lawless, but inwardly righteous. Apart from the Pharisees whom Jesus has only harsh words for, He loves the masses and heals them. For the lawless and rebellious, Jesus says to them,

But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in… So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:13,28

The lawless have a tendency to harp on outward behaviour and the consequences of non-conformance, while neglecting the source and owner of the virtues, which is Jesus. Jesus says to the Jews, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.” Matthew 23:23. Here, Jesus accuses them for using law (the tithe) to mask the evil and unbelief that are festering within them. The righteous focus not on conceiving ways to cover their weaknesses or escape punishment, but on communing with Christ and acquiring His virtues.

However, to the masses Jesus says without prejudice,

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth…. Matthew 5:3-12

What inspiring words of blessings for the righteous! After saying these words, Jesus begins to disciple them, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?” And Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32. Therefore, the role of the church is to continue the work of Jesus, to disciple the righteous in our midst! We do not intimidate people or nag them into God’s kingdom, but to disciple them towards Christ-likeness so that they may be blessed.

What about the lawless and the rebellious in our midst? Are we speaking blessings to them as well? The church is not to be overly concerned because those who are righteous will respond to the word of truth in repentance. Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them.” John 10:27-28. But those who are lawless and rebellious, who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (see John 3:18). And they will not come to the light for fear that his deeds may be exposed.

Application

When telling others about Jesus, are you accustomed to intimidating them with the consequences of unbelief? Do you “entice” them with the blessings of the kingdom and promise of eternal life? Perhaps, we should do what Jesus has done; Jesus says, “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:2. By urging the people to follow Jesus, we lead them into repentance and enter God’s kingdom. And those who are righteous at heart will respond to your call.

When relating to believers, do not preach or nag at their deficiencies, but rather inspire them with the example of Jesus. By connecting them with the words of Jesus, we appeal to one another’s righteous nature and stir them into greater love for God and for others.

Dear Lord, I thank you for regenerating my nature, for you have given me a new heart to love you and to do your will. I desire to know more of you and to put on your virtues through which I can be a blessing to the community. Use me to be an encourager to stir up Christ’s virtues in my fellow believers. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.