5Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 1 Timothy 1:5-7
Today I continue my walk through 1 Timothy. Last time (verses 1-4) we saw the need for teachers to be sound in doctrine and for the church not to get sidetracked by foolish arguments and fables. This was a command given by Paul to Timothy and here in verse 5 we see why he gave it - love. not just any love but love from a pure heart (not corrupted with an impure motive), a good conscience (fully aware of what he is speaking with no conviction of wrong) and a sincere faith (faith that these were God's words of instruction).
Paul then segues into the fact that some teachers have strayed from the the truth. They have given in to the idle talk and such that was mentioned in verses 3 & 4. Because of this they preach the law of God without understanding it's purpose. The law of God was not created as a means to salvation...but for something all together different.
8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 1 Timothy 1:8-11
When Moses came down off of Mount Sinai with the ten commandments God was not establishing a means by which man could be saved...but a way to show man that he could NOT be saved by his works. In essence the law is used as a mirror to show the wickedness of man.
The law of God is certainly good when it is used for it's purpose. It's purpose is to show the complete depravity of man and cause him to fall before God in repentance and to trust in His mercy and grace. That grace is found ONLY through faith in Jesus Christ as the propitiation (payment) for our sins. That is why Paul speaks of the law, not for the righteous person (because there are none) but for the...
ungodly
sinners
unholy
profane
murderers of fathers
murderers of mothers
manslayers
fornicators (those having sex before marriage)
sodomites (homosexuals)
kidnappers
liars
perjurers
and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine
When a person understands the law of God they are faced with the problem that they have broken His laws and because of that they will be held accountable for their sins. Whether it is murder or just a simple lie - a just judge MUST punish law breakers otherwise he would be corrupt. Since God is perfect and holy He will judge sinners to the upmost because they have sinned against His law. Even if you have never heard the commandments you have been given a conscience that speaks about what is wrong. This is given to you by God to convict you of sin so that you would seek the savior.
This is why the gospel is such AWESOME news.
God does have to punish law breakers, but because He is full of love and compassion for us wretched sinners He has made a way for us to be saved. It is not by works. It is not by giving. It is not by a ritual. It is by repentance and faith in the one who died on our behalf - Jesus Christ. Jesus took the wrath of God upon Himself for the salvation of mankind...BUT in order to have his payment credited to our account we must repent (turn from our sins) and trust in Christ as our savior. This is more than "asking Jesus into your heart" this is complete surrender to the God of the universe because of how incredibly kind He is to save you.
Remember - you and I deserve hell...Jesus made a way for us to gain heaven.
This is the glorious gospel to which Paul was speaking of and was entrusted with, and as a follower of Christ I too am entrusted to this gospel and must proclaim it because "how will they know if they have not heard."
Think you're still a good person? Take the test - here
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