1 Timothy 1 Pt. 1 Loving Instruction With God's Grace, Mercy And Peace

Paul loved Timothy and sought to firmly anchor him to Jesus Christ. 

1 Timothy 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 

Paul begins his letter to young, pastor Timothy by pointing him to Jesus Christ, our singular hope. 

Jesus Christ is called our hope, as He is called our life, our peace, our righteousness, and our joy. From Him springs eternal hope, life, peace, righteousness, and all other blessings.

The apostle did not take on his apostleship of his own volition. The Lord Jesus Christ gave Paul a commission to be an apostle to both Jews and Gentiles, to rulers and to slaves. 

The term "apostle" was applied to those men who were sent expressly from God, with the message of salvation to mankind. It means "sent ones".

It was the highest calling any person could have, and the gospel message is the most important good news sent from God to sinful man.  

It was by God's command that Paul went to Jews and Gentiles, preaching the doctrine of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

See the tender heart Paul had for young Timothy. He calls him "my own son in the faith". 

Paul was used of God to mentor and disciple Timothy, giving him a full understanding of the gospel and all its majestic implications.

Paul wanted Timothy to be well versed in the all of the teachings, miracles, sufferings, death, burial, resurrection and the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He would need these essential truths in order to be a faithful pastor, serving God and others.  

Every pastor or teacher or lay leader must come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They must come to "know" Him and be known by Him.

Paul loved Timothy and wanted him to be thoroughly prepared for gospel ministry. 

Paul wanted Timothy to truly "know" Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Knowing facts and principles about Jesus is not enough. We must know Him, just as we know our husband or wife, our children or grandchildren. Head knowledge alone is not sufficient. 

Jesus taught us that some religious people will claim that He is their Lord at judgment day. Yet, Jesus' reply to them is that they must depart, because He never "knew" them.

1 John 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

Each Christian is called to an intimate, thriving, deepening relationship with our Savior.

Those who are truly born again, and who know the Lord, will obey and do the will of our heavenly Father. 

The apostle John wrote his gospel and 3 letters to the churches. He was in his 90's when he wrote, guided by God's Spirit. He did not mince words as he honed in on the most important, essential truths.

We must know Jesus Christ. A person who claims to know Jesus Christ but refuses to obey His commandments is a liar. 

Such a person has made a false profession of faith. They truly do not know Jesus, and He will command them to depart because He did not know them. 

We can know Jesus by daily communing with Him in prayer, in reading the scriptures, in maintaining Christian fellowship, and in worshiping Christ. 

We ask the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us by elevating Christ as we study the Bible. We seek to know Jesus by reading and meditating upon His words. 

We have 4 gospels full of Jesus' precious words for us, so we have no excuse for not knowing our Lord better each day.

A glorious greeting of grace, mercy and peace from God. 

1 Timothy 1:2  Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Having sought to anchor Timothy to the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul turns to rejoice in our glorious salvation. He brings a beautiful greeting from the Father and the Son, to Timothy, and to the churches.

What message did the apostle bring us from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord? A greeting of grace, mercy and peace.

Grace is the merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence upon souls, to turn them to Christ. 

Grace is the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.

Grace includes the divine influence or the influence of the Holy Spirit, in regenerating, renewing our heart and restraining us from sin.

Grace kindles within us the gift of Christian virtue. God's wonderful grace keeps, strengthens, and increases us in our faith, knowledge, and love for God and man. 

Mercy is the kindness or good will of God towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.

Mercy is from God towards men, in His general providence and goodness toward both the wicked and the just. It is mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering salvation to men by faith in Christ.

Mercy is God withholding His holy wrath and turning it away from each repentant sinner, who calls out to Jesus for salvation. 

Mercy is a tenderness of heart which disposes God to overlook our sins, and to treat the sinner better than he deserves. 

We have all sinned against God, but when we turn to Jesus Christ, the Father will forgive all our iniquities, and remove the sting of death. He treats us far better than what we deserve as sinners. 

Peace is a tranquil state of a soul assured of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Peace is a believer fearing no judgment from God, because God poured out His judgment for our sins upon His Son, Jesus Christ.  

Peace with God greatly helps us to be content with what we have, whether a little or a lot. Peace is the opposite of war, and all sinners are rebels at war with God. There is enmity between God and man due to sin.

Peace comes in our heart through repentant faith in Christ, for Jesus' sacrifice is our peace. He removed the enmity between us so that we can be reconciled to God and have peace with God. 

Peace is freedom from agitation in our heart, such that we have no fear, terror, anger, or anxiety with regard to our standing with God. 

Peace is having a quiet heart, with our soul at rest and a calm spirit within us. 

Let us close with the words of King David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel. These words contain a lasting balm for our souls, and encouragement for our walk with the Lord. 

This beautiful text from the Psalmist, really encapsulates grace, mercy and peace. 

May these words fill us with grace, mercy and peace, and strengthen our faith in Jehovah. 

May these words stir us to a greater love and zealous service for God.

Bob

Psalm 103:1-18    Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2)  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3)  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4)  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5)  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6)  The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7)  He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. 8)  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9)  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10)  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11)  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12)  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13)  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14)  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 15)  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16)  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. 17)  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; 18)  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.