First and second Timothy are letters of love. Paul’s letters to Timothy are so sweet! They are filled with urgings, commands and instructions, but it is all done in a loving, fatherly way. Paul sees Timothy as his son.
To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 1:2 (NIV)
In these letters, or books, Paul is urging and preparing Timothy to do something. He wants him to spread the truth of the gospel because a lot of false doctrines are being preached. He tells Timothy to tell the people to stop spreading lies. Wow, that would be uncomfortable, to call out liars, spreaders of false doctrine!
However, it needed to be done! Timothy had a mission. The precious true gospel commands and deserves our ultimate respect and defense.
The gospel commands our hearts. The truth of what He did on the cross transforms and commands our hearts through the forgiveness of our sins. When we make a decision to follow Him with His truth and light, not our own, we have The Gospel in command of our hearts.
The gospel commands hope. How can we not be hopeful when we are entrusted with something so precious as the gospel? It commands our full attention. We are “trustees” in a way of His goodness and hope and light. We get to use it as our greatest resource to live right by Him, but also to tell others. The Gospel gives hope.
The gospel commands an audience. We are the mouthpiece for God. We are the promoter of what He is saying. We have been entrusted with something so pure and holy that it is able to totally transform hearts and lives. We cannot keep that and just live for ourselves! The Gospel deserves an audience!
Although, it is so easy to do, live for self, isn’t it? Lately, God has been moving me to remember and say out loud often…”It is not about me. It is not about me. It is not about me…”
Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25
The gospel commands us to share what we have so generously been given. Just a thought for today.
With love from our Father for you,
Christina
Glory in the Morning 