Loving God and God’s Ways
This morning I joined Pastor Steve Harris for the chapel service at MacKenzie Place retirement center. We had a good attendance and the people were very appreciative of the music and message.
I returned home and go the lawn mowed and some work done outside before having lunch with Debbie and watching the Bronco game. I used the time to write another chapter of my book.
I’m glad that my week ahead is not as busy as this past week. It took me a while, but it seems my energy has returned to where I expect it to be.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith…But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners…” 1 Timothy 1:5,8,9
When we know God’s ways and obey them, it demonstrates our love for God. Jesus said, “…if you love me you will obey my Word…” (John 14:23 ESV) Paul writes to Timothy about those who would abuse and distort the teaching of the law and said its purpose is to promote love from a pure heart. Obeying God’s ways also reveals a good conscience and a sincere faith. It shows sincere faith, because the one who obeys is committed to believing God’s word and the promise of blessing that comes from being faithful to the Lord.
Paul observes a truth that is true for God’s laws and man’s laws. The law is good if it is followed. As a result, if people would be good without the law, it would have never come into existence. But the law is for those who are lawless, insubordinate, ungodly and all kinds of sinners. I find the word, “insubordinate” interesting. It basically has to do with those who ignore God’s ways and want to live life on their own terms and not suffer any consequences. That is so descriptive of many in our day.
But we find Paul identifying himself with many of the sins he has just listed. It is like he is saying, “the law was made for me….it was made for you.” That is because none of us can please God and all have sinned and need the Lord’s forgiveness. Paul wants Timothy to know, “if the Lord can forgive me, he can forgive anyone.”
“the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.…for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:14,16 NCV)
To surrender our life to Christ and to trust Him for strength for daily living shows our love for God. When we love God not in our own strength, but through the life and power of Christ we can live according to His ways.
We come to the realization of how great the Lord is and join with Paul in declaring, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 NCV)