Teachable?

Doctrine is teaching. And if I am ever to be serious about teaching, I would do well to really take a hard look at what is taught, and who does the teaching. The Lord laid it upon me to read through 1 Timothy last night, and I did. Then I read it again. Then I decided to make some specific notes as to where the Lord has me these days, though I am pretty sure I have put myself “there”, and He just happens to be good in that He is willing to teach me from “there”, or so it might seem.

Paul’s letters to Timothy are likely the last writing he did, and he took time to instruct a young pastor in the important areas of ministry, how to deal with people. All the while, Timothy was to keep the good faith, and he was going to continue leading a church in Ephesus, and that took skill that perhaps could only come from experience. So Paul’s point was to stand true in the faith, because that may be the only thing that keeps you going in the middle of the fight. And there will be a fight, or else Paul would not have mentioned to “fight the good fight”.

Paul’s goal is stated early, “love from a pure heart, keep a good conscience, and keep the sincere faith. And while the Law was instructive, and there is a need to keep learning while doing, our sin will keep us on our toes regarding how we get God’s work done.

The apostle explains briefly how he acted ignorantly in unbelief. He’s not making excuses, because he’ll explain later that he is not perfect. But you know what, I have easily acted ignorantly while in BELIEF. I think I am safe to say that I have Paul beat when it comes to sin, hands down. And I think I am very much more safe in resting in the truth that Christ came to save sinners. The gospel always carries that blessed hope.

It is really hard, especially lately, to see how Jesus has the patience for me. I can honestly say that I have wondered aloud if He is simply weeding me out, perhaps rendering me unusable for Him. I know that His glory does not depend on what I do (God is glorious all by Himself, he does not need my help), and I shudder at the thought of how I have not been reflecting His glory. My wife has not seen Christ in me. My friends have not seen Him in me, and I really hope and pray that God will bring me back out the other side of this time a better servant for Him, if He will even still consider me for that service.

Fight the good fight.

Pray.

Work to keep a good conscience.

Hymenaeus and Alexander shipwrecked their faith. In those days, ships that wrecked simply sank. Better for them to be at the bottom of the see than on display, useless, I suppose.

Good teachers expose what needs to be learned, and God is the perfect and master teacher. He knows what needs to be fixed, and he has shown me. Goodness, he’s shown everyone around me what needs to be fixed. And I can only hope and pray that He wants me vulnerable to show me how much I truly need Him, and then I pray that I am receptive to that teaching. I’ll strive to live like He is teaching me, for those reading along, please hold me to that.