1 Timothy 1:5-7 – The Aim of Love

Yesterday, we saw that some in Ephesus were engaging in wild speculations beyond the teachings of Scripture that were distracting people from the true doctrines of the Bible, which build up Christian faith and bring good order to the Church. Today, we see both the motive and the underlying cause of these speculations. The motive is that those who promote these speculations desire to be teachers in the church. However, Paul makes clear that they are unqualified. One piece of evidence that they are unqualified to teach is that they speak as if certain about things they clearly do not understand. Worse, though, than showing themselves to be unqualified intellectually, they are morally and spiritually unqualified – which gets at the underlying cause of engaging in speculation.

The underlying cause is a lack of the fruit the Gospel – namely love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith. The Gospel of Jesus Christ (and the teaching of good Biblical doctrines that go hand-in-hand with it) calls sinners to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. Sincere faith in Him comes from a pure heart – that is, a heart changed by the Holy Spirit – which loves God for who He really is. Such a changed heart also produces a healthy conscience which, guided by His Word, convicts us of sin and affirms righteousness. Lacking such faith, love of God and His Word, and sound consciences these false teachers wander away into “vain discussions” that produce nothing of use to living a life consistent with faith in Christ.

Questions
1. How are these teachers intellectually unqualified?
2. What makes them morally and spiritually unqualified?
3. List some results of having a Spirit-changed heart?

Prayer Points
1. Pray that we would exhibit love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.