Category: 1 Timothy Devotionals

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Where training in godliness starts

…train yourself in godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. (5:4)

I have a mother who is a widow, so these words especially resonated with me. Particularly since she’s going through depression right now.

I live far from her, so there’s not much I can do, but I do keep in touch with her, talking with, praying with, and praying for her. That said, in these times, it’s tough to follow Paul’s words and serve my mom. I truly need God’s grace.

And yet, this is part of my training in godliness.

But Paul’s words are not only for me or others who have mothers who are widows. They’re for all of us.

Practicing godliness starts with our family. We can’t simply practice our godliness at church or at our workplace.

We need to practice it at home with our parents, our siblings, our spouses, our children.

And when we do, it pleases our Father.

But it can be tough at home. Especially at the end of a long day when we’re tired. Particularly when our families start getting our nerves.

But if we want to truly be like our Father who loves us, it starts at home.

Father, I want to be like you. Help me to practice godliness with my mother. With my wife. With my daughter.

I want to please you each day by how I treat them. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Men of prayer

Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument. (1 Timothy 2:8)

It’s always interesting to me that Paul specifically tells the men to pray.

How much do we men actually value prayer?

How often, instead, do we live as practical atheists, living each day as if God isn’t there, as if we are dependent only upon ourselves?

What marks our lives in our homes, at our workplace, at church?

Anger?

An argumentative attitude?

Or are we marked by prayer, each day lifting holy hands to our Father?

Of course, women should pray too. Everything I said applies to you too.

But men, in this passage, Paul is talking to you.

So let’s take up the challenge God has given us and be men of prayer.

We are soldiers for Christ, fighting an enemy who wants to destroy us, our families, and those we love. (2 Timothy 2:3-4; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10)

So as Christ’s soldiers, let’s get on our knees and fight like men.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

What the law is good for

But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.

We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me. (1Timothy 1:8-11)

We live in a world where there are Christians, even pastors who are trying to “unhitch” the church from the Old Testament, saying God’s law has no relevance for us.

They then point to the ritual laws, such as circumcision, the sacrifices, and the seasonal festivals to try to prove their point.

But Paul makes very clear that the law is still good if we use it legitimately.

What is a legitimate use of the law? To point out what sin is. The list that Paul uses above is essentially an expanded version of the ten commandments.

And Paul says that these laws aren’t necessary for people who are righteous and living a life pleasing to God. They’re necessary for those who are living in rebellion against God to point out their sin.

As Paul points out in Romans 3:19-20, it’s through God’s law that we become conscious of sin.

On the other hand, Paul also points out in the same passage that the law is not good for actually making someone righteous before God because no one can keep the law perfectly.

And that’s why we need the good news that Paul proclaims.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… (1 Timothy 1:15)

But in order to define “sinners,” we need to define what “sin” is, and that’s what the law does for us.

Without that definition of sin, there is no gospel because there is nothing for us to be saved from.

Unfortunately, for those who seek to unhitch the church from God’s law, many end up as Hymenaeus and Alexander rejecting a good conscience before God, embracing their sin, and end up shipwrecking their faith. (20)

Let’s never do that. Instead, let us fight the good fight, living a life of love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (5, 18-19)

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Because we have hope

1 Timothy

In times like these, it can be easy to get tired of remaining faithful to God and living a godly life.

It is easy to let our consciences get seared (1 Timothy 4:2), and to start giving into sin.

And according to Paul, the Spirit explicitly says some will depart from the faith. (1)

But we have a hope that this world does not have. Our God is alive. And he has not only saved us from our sin, but one day, Jesus will return and make all things new. (10)

This is not just a hope. It is a certainty.

So let us not get weary of doing right. Rather, let us train ourselves in godliness (7), specifically in our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. (12)

And let us not neglect our gifts in these times, but instead use them to bless each other, and to touch this world that desperately needs Jesus.

We have hope! Let us live each day in that hope.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Living as God’s people

1 Timothy

But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

A thought for the day: We the church have been established by God to be the pillar and foundation of truth in a world where truth has been grossly distorted.

But if we don’t live godly lives, who will listen to us?

By God’s grace and strength, let us live lives pleasing to him each day so that his light may shine through us and touch the people around us.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Praying for our leaders

1 Timothy

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior… (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

How often do we pray for our political leaders? That’s what Paul calls us to do. What’s more, he says it is pleasing in God’s sight when we do so. 

Note two things. 

Paul doesn’t merely say, “Pray about our leaders.” 

Nor does he say, “Complain about and curse our leaders in your prayers.” 

He says “Pray for them.” 

If your leaders are godly and you like them, that’s easy to do. 

If they aren’t and you don’t, it’s a lot more difficult. 

The interesting thing is this, and it’s my second point: 

Paul wrote this when Nero was Caesar. And whatever you think of Trump or Biden, Nero was a million times worse than either of them. If you doubt me, just look at the history books. 

And yet, Paul said, “Pray for him.” 

How do we pray for ungodly leaders? 

  1. Pray for their salvation. For God “wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (4)
  2. Pray for wisdom in leading the country. They are mere people. Their position does not suddenly endow them with perfect wisdom in dealing with Covid or the myriad problems our country faces.
  3. Pray for courage to do what is right. That is especially hard when the direction of their party is going against them. 
  4. Pray for God’s restraint. At some point, God will take off all restraints on people’s evil, and then judgment will come. Pray that God in his grace and mercy keeps the restraints in place for as long as possible. (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7, Romans 1:24-32)

Finally, a word: “More praying. Less arguing.” 

As James said, “People’s anger does not lead to the righteous life God wants us to live.” (James 1:20)

It takes away from our witness when we’re hostile to unbelievers. And when we’re fighting with each other, we lose sight of what God is calling us to do in this world: to bring his salvation to people who are lost and dying. 

So let us put aside all our anger and arguments, and lift up holy hands together, praying for and working for the salvation of our nation. (8)

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Our Savior. Our hope.

1 Timothy

Who do we look to for help in these difficult times? Where do go for hope?

In America, we have a new president, and I see a lot of people putting their hope in him.

In the New York Times, it talks about increasing numbers of people turning to psychics.

But to Paul, the answer is simple.

God our Savior. Jesus Christ our hope. (1 Timothy 1:1)

Everything and anything else is a shaky foundation.

Politicians will fail us. Psychics will deceive us. The best-intentioned and most powerful of people are powerless to save us.

Only in God is there salvation. Only in Jesus Christ is there hope.

So let us trust in him not only for eternal life. Let us trust him in everything. And worship him.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (17)

 

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Standing in awe of God

1 Timothy

You’ll have to forgive me if I seem to be beating the same drum at times.

But this is one drum that I’ve been trying to keep in mind, because if I don’t, I’m likely to forget it.

I was just thinking once again, “Why do I do what I do?”

I look at all the things Paul writes in this chapter.

“Be content.”

“Don’t chase after riches.”

“Seek godliness.”

“Flee worldliness and sin.”

“Pursue righteousness, godliness (again), faith, love, steadfastness.”

“Fight the good fight of the faith.”

“Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.”

But why do all these things?

Because we stand before God, the giver of life.

Because we stand before Jesus, who asserted his sovereignty over Pilate during his trial.

Because Jesus is coming back, and will rule forever and ever.

Because God is the blessed and only sovereign.

Because he is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Because he alone is immortal.

Because he alone lives in unapproachable light.

Because he is the one no one has ever seen in his full glory.

Because to him belongs all power and glory.

To be honest, at the point I’m writing this, I don’t truly feel the weight of these words. But I want to.

Lord Jesus, open my eyes. Help me to stand in awe of you.

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1 Timothy Devotionals

Setting our eyes on God

1 Timothy

Paul says in verse 17, to not set our hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God.

And as I read that, I thought about what Paul had just said in the previous verses about this God we are to set our eyes upon.

He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:15-16)

If we could only see God for who he really is, would we really set our hope on anything or anyone else?

When we set our eyes on money and the things of this world, we ultimately fall into “a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

How much better would it be to set our eyes on the one who gives life?