October 28, 2024

Passage Read: 1 Timothy 1-2
Meditation Verses: 1:6-7

Thought

The goal of all Christian teaching and discussion should be to promote love from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith. But some stray from these things, the result being that they are caught up in fruitless discussions, wanting to be teachers of the Law, but having no clue what they're really taking about. There is a desire to be important and to be admired by men as wise, likely in order to rule. Among people who admire wisdom and oratory prowess, men will pursue debate and discussion about as many things as can be discussed, inflating even insignificant things in order to present themselves as authorities and experts on such matters. Yet all their discussions are fruitless, meaningless, and have nothing to do with promoting faith working itself out in love.

Application

Christianity has a foundation of sound doctrine and guiding principles, but it is not merely an intellectual religion. All its doctrines should result in changed lives that result in good works to benefit the people involved in and the people around the local body of believers. There needs to be the teaching of sound doctrine, so that the believers know why they can and should benefit those around them and to know what things are of true benefit to those around them. Anything else, any other discussion or debate that does not have at its heart the goal of love from a good conscience, sincere faith and pure heart should be cut off. It is wasteful and more about puffing up the instigator rather than benefiting the believers and promoting the work of God. I need to guard against fruitless discussions or intellectual debate, and need to focus on what does God want from me and how to put His Word into action.