Waist Deep 2018 - November 29


I Timothy 1: 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (NIV)


Impressive gifts, extensive knowledge, and great faith mean nothing without love.*


Paul was very astute when it comes to human nature. He knew that we can get caught up in doing the right thing and forget why we are doing it, so he reminds us that we are to go further than just correcting false teachers (read verses 3 and 4). Knowledge and obedience are critical but they are not enough. You can “deprogram” someone who has been fed a diet of bad information; you can replace the false doctrine with the truth – but Paul says that God wants more. Our ultimate goal is not to generate debate and controversy; our purpose is to produce an environment where love is exhibited in daily living.*

The English language is inadequate when it comes to love. We have abused this poor weary word until it is almost meaningless. “I love your new dress!” “For God so loved the world . . .” We fall in and out of love. We love as long as it feels good, remains convenient, and meets our expectations. We love things that can’t love us back. Can all of these uses of the word really mean the same thing?

But sometimes we get it right: Spouses who remain true to each other long after the romance has faded.  Parents who love children who have rejected everything they believe in. Children who love parents who no longer recognize them. When we do love even when we don’t feel love. And especially when we are teaching others from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.


One cannot command the emotional type of love, but the kind of love that represents God can be commanded.*


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