From Where Does Love Come? Part Three

I Timothy 1: 5

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” I Timothy 1: 5

The second fountainhead from which love flows is a clear conscience. This speaks of past actions.

Huck Finn said, “Sometimes a fellow’s conscience takes up more room than all the rest of his insides.”

The Greek word used in our text and translated “conscience” is “suneidesis.” It literally means “a knowing within.”  How what is known within is programmed is the critical issue. To have a good conscience it must be programmed by God’s value standard, the Bible.

Our English word conscience comes from the Latin con-scienta, meaning joint knowledge or co-knowledge, knowing together with. A conscience is a poor guide unless it knows the Word of God.

Hearts not informed and influenced by the Word of God can become insensitive. We are seeing this increasingly in America. In America youth watch violence while enjoying their favorite treats of candy, popcorn, and  preferred beverage. Their conscience is dulled and has become insensitive. Then we wonder why there is so much violence by youth who seem to feel nothing. They have a conscience seared by a hot iron. A cauterized conscience is a non-feeling conscience.  Once they enact violence and are shocked back into reality they have to live with the consequence of their act.

A clear conscience is one:

A. Guided by God’s special revelation as a norm.

B. Makes wise judgements and issues instructions which are obeyed.

C. Produces “Godly sorrow which works repentance unto salvation” (II Corinthians  7:10).

D. It not only condemns the bad, but commends the good. The result is faith.

After all Paul had done, how could he have a clear conscience? Verses 12-15 explain. The same principle applies today. In I Timothy 1: 12 – 15 Paul bursts into joyous celebration over what Christ had done in his life. His story is that if Christ could change him, Christ can change anyone. What Paul was saying in this statement of his ignorance was there is nothing chic, cool, or glamorous about living in sin. 

How can a person with a carnally complicated and corrupt past gain a clear conscience? By having a cleansed life. How is it possible?  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  (I John 1:9)

Servants Not Celebrities 4/18/99

Matthew 24:44-47

Jesus Christ sprinkled His wonderful teachings with clues as to how to have joy, happiness, and fulfillment. Would you like this triumvirate in your life? Virtually everyone does. Good! That means you and the Lord are on the same page.

Albert Schweitzer, a brilliant man with four PhD’s said, “The only ones among us who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” SERVE?

In a day when it is celebrity status that is sought in anticipation of it bringing fulfillment and happiness many have a void in life.

Astronauts David R. Scott and James B Irwin were the focus of worldwide attention July 30 through August 1, 1971. Having landed on the moon in their spacecraft Falcon, they proceeded to set unimaginable records. They had explored 17.4 miles of the moon’s surface in their electric car. They were doing what mankind had dreamed of for centuries. As a result of their heroic exploits their names would forever be etched in the annals of space travel. Virtual deification awaited them upon return.

After piloting their spacecraft on their 250,000 mile journey back to planet Earth, James Irwin noted, “As I was returning to earth I realized that I was a servant —- not a celebrity. So I am here as God’s servant on planet earth to share what I have experienced that others might know the glory of God.”

That is the only reason we are here on earth. Failing to realize our purpose and by not filling it people are left unfulfilled and unhappy.

Jesus Christ illustrated the most profound principles of life with the simplest of stories. He told of a master going away and leaving a servant in charge. He noted the servant could respond in one of two ways. He could faithfully exercise the will of his master or he could be unfaithful and disloyal.

The purpose of the story was to illustrate for us the need of remaining faithful to our Master as His servants. Previously He had said, “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (Matthew 10:25).

(1) A servant does what he says he will do. vs. 3

(2) A servant will be an example to the people. vs. 4

(3) A servant does not do what he does to be seen. vs. 5

(4) A servant puts others before himself. vs. 6

(5) A servant is humble not proud. vs. 7, 8

Those who teach spiritual truths must model the truths shared. Spiritual teachers are not merely passing on a body of information to students, but they must model it. They are to be living demonstrations of how to integrate faith and practice. The student can be considered taught when the teacher is emulated.

I. AN EXPLANATION
A primary characteristic of a servant is he is under authority. Philippians 2:8 says of Christ, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Christ’s optimum obedience is noted in this same passage in that He was “obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Our Master, Jesus Christ, was under authority and so should we be. He took the towel, the symbol of servanthood, and washed the disciple’s feet.

Richard Foster: “Whenever there is trouble over who is the greatest, there is trouble over who is the least. That is the crux of the matter for us, isn’t it? Most of us know we will never be the greatest; just don’t let us be the least. Gathered at the Passover feast, the disciples were keenly aware that someone needed to wash the others’ feet. The problem was that the only people who washed feet were the least. So there they sat, feet caked with dirt. It was such a sore point that they were not even going to talk about it. No one wanted to be considered the least. Then Jesus took a towel and a basin and redefined greatness.”

Right here we must see the difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant. When we chose to serve, we are still in charge. We decide whom we will serve and when we will serve. And if we are in charge, we will worry a great deal about anyone stepping on us, that is, taking charge over us.

But when we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge. There is great freedom in this. If we voluntarily choose to be taken advantage of, then we cannot be manipulated. When we choose to be a servant, we surrender the right to decide when we will serve. We become available and vulnerable.

Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve. Sometimes the low and defenseless are served because that will ensure a humble image. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry. It has heard the command of Jesus.

Mother Teresa said, “I belong to Jesus, He must have the right to use me without consulting me.” That is the spirit of this text: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8). Being His gives Him the right to use us.

Much of the Old Testament was His pre-written biography. Numerous prophecies told of what He would be and do. Once on His earthly mission, He could choose to or not to do what is was said of Him. Wilfully, He was faithful under the authority of God’s Word. Every believer should be also.

An illustration of this is found in Hebrews 10: 5 & 9: “A body you have prepared for me…Behold I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do your will, O God…Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.”

The Father’s will was made known in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ willfully put Himself under that authority.

Isaiah 61: 1, 2a identified specific things Christ was to come to do. He was obedient in doing them. We too are to serve under the authority of the Bible.

Recently in Reno, Nevada, I heard of a partially-educated individual who had great faith. He was asked if He believed in the verbal inspiration of Scripture. He replied, “I sure do. I believe in the verbal inspiration, the adverbal inspiration, the nounal and prounounal inspiration, and the conjunctional inspiration of the Bible.” Me too!

II. AN EXHORTATION

– Co-servants, check yourself on this one text. Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). Much is said about spiritual authority without really knowing what it is.

Spiritual authority is the authority to serve, authority to put yourself last, authority to say no to the world’s idea of self-promotion. Christ has told us His secret … and we are authorized to imitate Him. To obey means putting yourself at the whim of the needs of others, to give up your rights and humble yourself, leaving the promotion and control up to God.

Afficionados of old war movies know well the winner of seven Academy Awards “Bridge Over the River Kwai.” Filmed in 1957 this film directed by David Lean won Best Picture of the Year. Anyone having seen it will never forget the theme music.

This epic is the story of prisoners of war held by the Japanese in the Kwai valley. It depicts how they were tortured and abused. At times their exploitation is gruesome. Their miserable state is graphically portrayed.

There is another account of the events that happened there the secular media would not dare tell. It is a book entitled Through the Valley of the Kwai by Ernest Gordon.

It also depicts the brutality suffered. It further accounts the infighting among the group as an outgrowth of their sense of frustration and futility. However, it tells the true story of how one member of that tortured company had a New Testament. Lacking anything to do an enlisted man asked that a portion be read one day. Soon all the men were listening. It transformed the camp completely. Infighting stopped and kind reactions resulted from mistreatment. One day a train load of wounded Japanese soldiers stopped in the compound. Forgetting all about themselves the prisoners comforted and ministered to them. They said they were merely doing what Christ taught we should do to our enemies.

As spiritual prisoners of war we too need to respond in like manner.

– Here is a second test:

Jesus said, “I am come to seek and to save that which is lost.” Then He added, “As my Father has sent Me, even so send I you.” Are you sharing your faith in Christ in such a way as to try to encourage people to receive Him as Savior?

– Another test is found in II Corinthians 5: 19, 20. Therein, He said we are His ambassadors. This role we can’t fulfill without Him and He won’t fulfill without us.

It is God’s WORD — “the word”

It is God’s WORK — “reconciliation”

It must be done in God’s WAY — “God…pleading through us.”

III. AN EXPECTATION
As Jesus was under authority, so He expects us to be. After His resurrection, He said to His followers, “Behold My hands, and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39).

The Holy Spirit whose mission it is to draw people to Christ has no body of His own. No hands, feet, or mouth. That is, unless we let Him use ours.

“God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6).

This combination forms a unique relationship. He has your body and you have His Spirit.

Because Christ was faithfully under authority, ALL authority has been given unto Him — READ: Matthew 28: 19, 20.

There are two New Testament words for power. One means ability. The other authority. We are so preoccupied with Christ’s ability and our desire for Him to use it for our good that we forget about His authority over us.

As Christ was under the authority of the Father, so we are to be under His authority.

He said, “All authority is given unto Me…” Then He added, “Lo, I am with you…” We consider this to be comforting, and it is. We are reassured in light of His ability, that is, His power. Often we fail to realize His primary reason for being with us is to exercise authority over us.

His presence is not just for our COMFORT but for His CONTROL over us.

When we are under His control, we are under all that is His.

A wealthy antique collector whose only son and wife had died some years before also died. He left a large estate containing many valuable antiques. His meticulous will detailed how everything was to be disposed of. According to the provisions of the will, a well-publicized auction was set. Major collectors came from great distances. Their disappointment was visible when the first item offered was an amateurish oil painting of the son of the deceased. The first bid came only after considerable prodding from the auctioneer. $25 was the first bid. The auctioneer knew how to motivate bidders and soon got a $50 bid. Bids rose: $100, $125, and finally $150.

With the awarding of the painting, an envelope was to be opened according to the instructions of the will. The brief note therein stated, “All that is here belongs to you. He who gets the Son gets it all.”

If we have the Son of God, we have all that is under His authority. We have it when He has all that is under our authority.

From Where Does Love Come? Part Two

I Timothy 1: 5

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” I Timothy 1: 5

Three characteristics of the foundation of love are mentioned. Explore this triad. First, love flows from the fountain of a pure heart, our present motive.

Heart in the Hebrew language was used in the O.T. because there is not a word for mind or brain. To understand a word in Hebrew it is proper to define it in association with words with which it is linked.

A “pure heart” belongs only to the person made right by the right relationship with Christ. Such a heart can then manifest the fruit of the Spirit, which involves love. 

Psalms 139:23, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” In this verse heart and thoughts are linked.

Satan subtly suggests sin is a better alternative than love for the Lord as the path to the good life. The wages of sin can be quite good in today’s competitive market, but there are no benefits and retirement is pure hell.

Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceedeth evil thoughts…” Thus, from Hebrew and Greek it is seen that heart and thoughts are equated. Therefore, Timothy is appealing for followers of Christ to have pure thoughts, the right motives. This is needed for:

“Out of the heart are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).

“Man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh upon the heart” (I Samuel 16:7).

God alone cleanses the heart (Psalms 51: 10, 11).

Pure means not double minded. It was a word used to describe purging an army of all potential traitors. It described milk with no water added to dilute it.

If there is bacteria in a substance it will grow. If there is yeast in bread it will multiply. If there is impurity of thought in a life, it will grow. The mind must be cleansed. It must be cleansed from self-centeredness if it is to have love for Christ.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Literally, He said happy are the pure in heart. You will never find happiness apart from having an undivided mind, that is, God controlled thoughts. Only a pure heart produces love for Christ.

From Where Does Love Come? Part One

I Timothy 1: 5

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” I Timothy 1: 5

Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…”

He also said, “…love one another….”

Timothy wrote illustratively of three fountain heads of love. This is the first of two Posts on the subject. This one deals with the meaning of love, and the other the three fountain heads of love. 

The meaning of the word “love” needs to be established before considering its source. “Agape” is the Greek word translated love. It is the selfless, self-giving love of God.  It speaks of full loyalty to God and boundless good will to people. 

Love for God prompts us to let go of whatever we are holding to and latching on to God. Let go and latch on. There is no good in holding on to anything in time of a storm if it isn’t tied down. In the storms of life the only real and sure anchor is Jesus Christ. To love Him means to let go of the unanchored objects offered by the world and latching on to Him.

A baby isn’t born knowing how to love. It is born with the capacity to love, but learns to love or hate by the way the parent relates to it. Perhaps you were deprived of one or both parents who didn’t show you proper love as an infant and loving is difficult for you. There is good news. Along comes the Heavenly Father to show us love and thereby teach us to love.

“We love Him because He first loved us” (I John 4: 19).

Once we love Him and know how He loves us, we are well on our way to knowing how to love one another. He loves us with all of our faults, frailties, and failures. How are we to love others? As He loved us.

Satan subtly wants to divert our love, if not deceive us into not loving. In the intriguing “Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis Satan gives his servant Wormwood advice on how to reduce the effectiveness of Christian love. He suggests dividing a person’s life into concentric circles. The inner circle represents a person’s will. Next is the intellect. Last is one’s fantasies. It is “out there” he suggests keeping a person’s love. The deceiver says to his disciple:

“Do what you will, there is going to be some benevolence, as well as some malice, in your patient’s soul. The great thing is to direct the malice to his immediate neighbors whom he meets and to thrust his benevolence out to the remote circumference, to people he does not know.”

In other words, it is easy to talk about loving people in other countries or different locales than we. That does little good. In doing so the deceiver channels our love into lakes of unfulfillment.  Jesus said, “Love your neighbor…”

How Many Contented People Do You Know? Are You One? Part Three

 I Timothy 6: 6 – 11

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Thus, He asserted the reasons He left the glories of Heaven to come to earth. Each of them were with you in mind.

To aid our understanding He uses an analogy of sheep and notes His sheep “find pasture.” This is a reference to provisions. He is going to provide for you. “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.” Do you really believe that? If so, you are a contented person. Are you?

Then Christ asserted He came to earth that His people, like the sheep of a shepherd, might have two things.

One, that you might have life. This is a reference to protection.

The other had to do with this quality of life which He called abundant life. It is a reference to life with super additives.  This is a reference to profusion. 

To achieve these blessings for us He said, “I lay down my life for my sheep.” (John 10: 15)

After providing us new life, He then desires to enable us to have a contented life. Yet, there are so few people who give any appearance of contentment.

Put the zoom lens of your mind on I Timothy 6: 6. Now bring it into focus the word “contentment.”  It translates the Greek word “autarkeia” meaning “carrying the secret of happiness in itself, completely independent of outward things.” It means to have inner resources that enable you to be unflappable in the face of external circumstances. 

When this secret is discovered and applied, you break free of the bondage to things. You are set free of servitude to things.

However, the devil has set a very appealing snare called materialism.  “The love of money is the root of all evil.”  (I Timothy 6:10)

Money as used here refers to all things material. The desire for material  things is a desire for security that can never be obtained by them. Our society suffers from a “more syndrome.” More is always better, but more is never good enough.  The satisfaction coming from more is short lived at best.

Contentment is basic according to verse 8. The Greek word “autarkeia” translated content has further meaning “to possess unfailing strength that can ward off anxiety and worry.”

Back to the basic premise that  “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory.”  Jesus  also taught that the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of riches tend to choke God’s Word and keep people from contentment (Matt 13:22). Daily choices enable contentment. You choose.