Daily Devotion, June 21, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17; 2:1-6.

Several background points are helpful as we read these scriptures:

1. From Paul’s two letters to Timothy, we read that Paul was like a mentor and/or teacher for Timothy.
2. These letters were written on scrolls without chapters and verses, so the thoughts probably carried more continuity for the readers and hearers during that time.
3. Paul is writing to encourage and establish Timothy’s faith and the other believers as they together establish the beginnings of the earliest Christian gatherings in Ephesus (which is in Western Turkey today).

In these selected passages for today, Paul praises God for saving him and reminds Timothy that this is God’s desire for all people.

This first passage is a brief, but powerful testimony of God’s saving grace in Paul’s life. Paul describes himself as “the worst of sinners” and he gives all the credit and glory to God through Christ. Paul writes that he was shown mercy and in believing received eternal life, which is offered to all people.

Paul’s words are filled with both thanksgiving and praise! Paul offers thanksgiving for the abundant grace he received, and for the strength and opportunity to serve God. Then Paul offers praise for who God is: the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God!

Paul is leading by example for Timothy’s ears to hear God’s message of love in the gift of Christ’s offer for all people! Paul is mentoring Timothy as Timothy leads this gathering of new believers.

Prayer is a priority, and particularly praying for any in authority for the community. Paul asks that the believers live in peacefulness, quietness, godliness and holiness, for the sake of bringing all people (including the Gentile people) to Christ’s offering of salvation. This was Paul’s call to be counterculture to the world’s ways.

A student-pastor from another country once told me that we need a new word, “Disciple-er” in our English vocabulary----I often think of this word when reading Paul’s writings to Timothy. Paul is following Christ’s ways in every way as he is thankful to God and praises God for God’s gift of salvation through Christ and reminds Timothy that this is God’s desire for all people.

Personal Worship Option:

What is your brief testimony and praise of God’s grace in your life? How would you encourage one who is new in the faith?