Paul is all about the transformation of our heart and peoples (Timothy in this letter) understanding of the truth. When we step back and see how great Jesus is and that His doing the Fathers will by coming here as a human even while we were sinners shows great love and faithfulness. When we open our heart to learn and grow we mature and when we mature our love comes from a pure heart because we have surrendered it.
Warren Wiersbe shares this, “The flesh (our old nature) loves religions legalism because rules and regulations enable a person to appear holy without really experiencing changes with in his or her heart.” Paul wants Timothy to realize his ministry is led by the Spirit and not by any law that was given. In verse 12 he says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do His work.” We need to trust that Christ Jesus will give us our strength as well. It doesn’t matter what we have done or how bad we think we are, it’s that we know who Jesus is and what He has done. Paul tells Timothy what he needs to do in verse 19 and I believe it is a great thing for us to remember as we continue to grow and be like Christ. “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” We can’t worry about what people think we need to seek all that God is showing us and don’t let Satan cloud our consciences or thoughts to doubt what we know in our hearts to be true.
We will have constant trials and questions but we must remember that when we work hard and run to win we grow and our confidence grows and we stay with it because of what Jesus did. I like what Warren Wiersbe writes about being God’s servant. “If you are God’s servant, called by the Spirit, obeying His will, then you can “stay with it,” and finish His work. These assurances enabled Timothy to “fight well in the Lord’s battles.” We must remember as we accept Jesus and our heart is changing there will be battles.
Thank you God for loving us so much that you sent your only Son to show us the way. Keep our eyes focused and our heart changing so we can make a difference in this world and help people see heaven on earth. Amen