Topic: Remain Focused [Tuesday January 30th, 2018]
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-11 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be 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.
Key Verse: “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” (1 Timothy 1:4)
MESSAGE:
In the course of daily life, there are always contending and contrasting signals that crave for the attention of the unwary. He that is without a clear focus is often a victim of the push-and-pull tendencies of life.
At this time, Timothy was left in Ephesus by Paul the apostle for a purpose. He charged Timothy to instruct brethren to teach no other doctrine than that which they had been taught. Timothy was warned not to dabble into fables and genealogies which only “minister questions.” While some came to teach false doctrines at Ephesus, there were also some Jews who used the Old Testament law to justify themselves. They were unable to keep the demands of the law and were resistant to the grace of God. They placed great importance on the keeping of correct ancestral records. This attitude left them in spiritual destitution. Timothy was charged to focus and concentrate on those things that edify. He was not to engage in meaningless discussions.
If Timothy was instructed to be careful in his dealings with the legalistic Jews, we need God’s guidance in our dealings with unbelievers today.
As believers and representatives of Christ here on earth, we must not give attention or dissipate energy on irrelevant arguments that do not profit.
We must also heed the charge to refrain from “fables and endless genealogies” that cannot save or take anyone to heaven. We must take our attention away from irrelevant things today and focus on significant spiritual matters. Our preoccupation must be with preaching the whole counsel of God to save and take people to heaven.
Thought For The Day: There’s no gain in winning the argument but losing the soul.
Bible Reading in a Year: Exodus 1-3.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
