Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Now to the King … invisible…
Summary: I was going to write this meditation in invisible ink, but I didn’t think anyone would get the joke. 🙂
To a blind man, everything is invisible. Everything.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:17c – The Invisible King”
Now to the King … immortal …
Summary: Immortal is one of those interesting words that sounds like it should be the same as eternal, but isn’t.
As we continue our deep dive into Paul’s praise of God, let’s look at the word “immortal” and consider how that is different than “eternal.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:17b – Immortal”
Now to the King eternal…
Summary: Paul’s praise of God begins with two words that are critical for understanding God’s power and authority: “King” and “eternal.”
With these words, “Now to the King eternal …” Paul begins a sentence that has been used by churches around the world as a model of praise for God.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:17a – King Eternal”
…and receive eternal life.
Summary: Taking a closer look at Paul’s words, we take a moment to review what it means to have eternal life.
Jesus called Paul to be an Apostle — one who is “sent” to teach others about the kingdom of God. We might not ever be called to appear before a king in this life, but we will in the next, and we need to understand what is involved so that we can be prepared.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:16c – The Way Home”… believe in him and receive eternal life.
Summary: Believing in Jesus takes work. Not the kind of work that can save us, but the kind that it takes to resist jumping back into sin.
Once again, Paul includes the Gospel in its essential form. His “trustworthy saying” stated it this way:
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:16b – The Work of Believing”
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Summary: Paul’s conversion and life for Christ is an example for all of us.
Why would God put up with you or me or anyone else, for that matter? Why would he be patient with people who disrespect him, even when they are trying to do what is right?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:16 – What God Can Do”
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Summary: Paul’s “saying” is simple, but that doesn’t mean it is easy to say.
I have a confession to make — I’ve been reading this passage wrong my whole life.
In our last meditation, we just discussed why a saying is “a saying.” It is for a reason. When you and I say it ourselves, we are affirming the truth of the saying.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:15b – The Worst of Sinners”
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance…
Summary: In this verse, Paul introduces us to the concept of a “trustworthy saying.” Before examining the saying itself, it is helpful to consider the concept of a “saying” and think about why that would be important.
Paul has a problem: Like the rest of us, he is limited to being in one place at a time. Unlike most of us, however, he needs to be everywhere all at once.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:15a – Unchanging”
… along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Summary: Paul points us to the idea that Jesus needed faith, too.
In addition to God’s grace, or perhaps part of it, is the “faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:14b – A Gem Called Jesus”
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly …
Summary: Grace is an interesting word. It can mean everything or nothing, depending on how we look at it.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are different than his other letters. He writes to Titus in a similar way, but the personal references do not seem as personal as they are with Timothy. He writes to the churches about the same topics, but his letter to Timothy seems to assume a deeper shared understanding of the Gospel.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:14a – Liquid Grace”