Grace in the Pastoral Epistles - Part 1

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴ who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.¹⁵ These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15

Although there is an emphasis on godliness and good works in the pastoral epistles, Paul’s theology of grace is nevertheless established firmly as the foundation of the Christian faith. God’s grace in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, shines forth brightly as the source of our salvation, the substance of sound doctrine, the power for godliness, and the reason for our hope of eternal life.

Similar to every Pauline letter, Paul begins and concludes the pastoral epistles with a salutation of grace. Despite the urgency of the problems at the churches grace always goes before and after and permeates through each situation.

All of Christian life begins with grace. Apart from grace there is no salvation. In Titus 2:11, Paul says that the grace of God has appeared, that is in Jesus Christ, to bring salvation to all men. Again in Titus 3:5-7, we are saved not by our works, but by His mercy, and we are justified by His grace. Furthermore, in 2Tim 1:9, we are called not according to our works but according to His grace in Christ Jesus before the ages began (ESV). Our salvation was assured from eternity past, what a glorious truth! Lastly, Paul speaks of his own salvation in 1 Tim 1:12-17, he speaks of his past, how he persecuted the church, he concluded that he is the least of all sinners (v15). Yet he was shown mercy, and God’s grace of more than abundant for Paul, which led him to faith and love in Christ Jesus (v14). The Greek in v14 says the grace of God was exceedingly abundant. The grace of God is many many time more than enough to cover Paul’s transgression, the chief of sinners. What a beautiful doctrine, the doctrine of grace, we are filled to overflowing with God’s grace (ESV), what Paul is saying here is that, no matter how bad a sinner you are, God is exceedingly more gracious, even to the worst of all sinners. No wonder Paul bursts out in doxology in v17. Paul does not speak of salvation only in third person term, it is a personal reality. The gospel of grace must also be a personal reality for us, it cannot just be a regurgitated fact, it must strike us to the core. Christians, we too have received this exceedingly abundant grace in Christ, who had called us from the beginning of time for His good pleasure and glory, not by our works, but by His mercy. Let us rejoice and, like Paul, burst out in doxology to our God who is more than abundant in grace.

Preach the Word

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Tim. 4:1-2

Sorry for the lack of update for the past week, I’ve been pretty busy. For the past couple of days I have been listening to John Piper’s lecture series on preaching at Re: Train. One thing that really struck me was his description of preaching. He called it “expository exultation”. Preaching is both teaching and proclaiming, but most of all it is worshiping God through the exposition of Scripture.

2 Tim. 4:2 had always been a very important passage for myself, although the command was directed at Timothy, I feel that I too must preach in season and out of season. Every time I read this passage I can feel the intensity and the seriousness of Paul’s charge through the page. He says “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus. This is the utmost command, the most important task, to preach the word, to expound and proclaim and rejoice over Scripture which is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). Teach, train, correct, reprove, exhort, rebuke! 1 Pet. 4:11 says that if anyone speaks he should do it as if he is speaking the utterances of God. And in Eph. 3:8-10, Paul says that he preaches the unfathomable riches of Christ, and brings to light the mystery that was hidden in God for ages, in the presence of rulers in the heavenly places. What an awesome and sobering task! As I prepared last week’s sermon and reflect upon these verses and the idea of “expository exultation”, I was hit with how inadequate I am as a preacher, how privilege I am allowed to preach, and what an immense responsibility. As Lloyd-Jones said “the work of preaching is the highest and the greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called.”

I pray that I would be able to display the greatness of God through the Bible and lead people to worship every time that I preach. That I might proclaim the riches of Christ and make clear the mystery of the Gospel each time I speak. That I might be faithful to Scripture even when faced with hardships and oppositions. God help me to preach in season and out of season, for the sake of Your glory, Amen.

Above Reproach

An overseer, then, must be above reproach… 1 Tim. 3:2

This passage is a familiar passage for myself. I have though long and hard about the qualities of an elder/pastor, but in the context of applying these qualities to others. Now it is my turn to put myself up against these requirements. It is important to notice that there is only one quality that speaks to the ability of the elder, he must be able to teach. All other traits are about his character, which lead us back to the discussion of the pursuit of godliness.

However, as I went through the list, a couple of the traits caught my eyes. At first glance most of the characteristics are not exceedingly hard to achieve. I mean, I am not prone to anger, I don’t drink all the time, I have a pretty good reputation with people outside of the church, I don’t love money, maybe I need to be a little more gentle and hospitable but I can work on that. Of course, in each of these qualities I still have a great deal to improve on, but what really caught my eye is the management of of household, and the teaching of the children. In Titus 1:6 says that the children should be believers.

Maybe because I just got married and I am thinking about kids, but I find this quality or this task to be the hardest. I think about a lot of the elders and pastors that I know. Many of them have kids that are not Christians or unruly. Are they then disqualified for the position? I would say so, but why then were they not removed? Were they bad parents or did they do everything they can? As I think about my future, and the possibility of being a father, these questions are very heavy on my heart. I think partially I am concerned about this is because I realize that it is not completely in my control and how limited my power really is.

So I pray that I will not devote so much time in my ministry that I would neglect my wife and my children. I pray that I would be able to establish strong Christian teaching and values in my family with the help of my wife. And I pray for the souls of my future children that God might have mercy on them and bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. O God help me and teach me to be a father and a husband!

Discipline for the purpose of godliness

In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. 1 Tim. 4:6-11

I think it is timely that I am reading through the pastoral epistles (PE) for my devotional time because, 1. I have a class on it in a couple of weeks, 2. I am beginning my study in seminary and the topics in the pastoral epistles are very relevant to my life, 3. I will be preaching from 1 Tim. this Sunday. Thus, the next few posts will be on the PE.

The main focus in 1 Tim. is the false teachers within the Ephesian church and how Timothy was to deal with them. Paul in this passage and throughout the letter prescribes two things for Timothy, 1. teach sound doctrine(v6), 2. live a godly life (7-10). It's interesting in verse 7, Paul contrasts "worldly fables" with discipline for godliness. I thought that Paul should have compared "worldly fables" to "sound doctrine". In the mind of Paul godliness is inseparable from sound doctrine. In fact, godliness is the outward demonstration of the sound doctrine that Timothy was to teach.

As I reflect on this passage I find myself lacking in godliness. I pride myself in knowing theology, maybe even good solid doctrine. I can share and teach about "reformed theology" yet my life is not marked with godliness. As I enter into seminary and in the future, full time ministry, I am aware the need for true teaching and sound doctrine, but I am also more and more aware of the need for strong godly character and how much of it I am lacking.

Lastly, Paul highlighted two things about godliness. 1. It is beneficial both for the present life and the life to come. That godliness is of eternal value and eternal life starts now. 2. the reason to strive for godliness is because of our hope on the living God, who is our Savior. How I need to fix my hope on God and set my eyes on eternity!

Let us discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness in accordance to sound doctrine.

Idleness

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 2 Thess. 3:10-11

The issue of idleness had been on my mind for quite some time and in the past couple of days I have been reminded of it again through 1,2 Thessalonians. Paul here is talking about people that are not working and just leeching off of the church, but I think it can applied to more generally an attitude of idleness. The treatment of they people that are not working is straightforward. They are not to eat. They are not to be associated with the church so that they may be ashamed and repent. As I reflect on these commands, I believe that I have not taking seriously the call to be diligent.

Last month a sister brought up the issue of gaming among the guys in CCF. Many of the guys didn't see it as a big issue, but as I think upon the issue and meditate on the passage, I believe it is definitely an issue, at least in my life. It is a big problem when I spend hours playing video games, and not just video games but watching TV shows or youtube. Part of the reason is because I am lazy, but I think it's more than that, it is idolatry. Idolizing gaming or whatever time wasting activity I would be doing because of the pleasure it gives. Misplacing or rather replacing the pleasure that God provides with quick gratification. Although I don't really like his style, I do appreciate what Mark Driscoll had to say on video games here. The danger of time wasters like video games, facebook, youtube etc. is that they don't seem bad, it's not like stealing, cheating, pornography etc., and they appear to be benign. However, in reality they are detrimental and destructive.

Also in the letter, Paul has been speaking about the coming of the Lord, and it seems that they were idle because they thought Jesus was coming back soon. It reminds me again the danger of misapplied theology. Rather than doing nothing and waiting for the return of Jesus, we are to strive for the kingdom for we do not know when He will return. I think we have the opposite mind set from the Thessalonians. They expected the second coming of Jesus but had wrong application, where we live as if Christ is not returning any time soon. However, we both fall into the sin of idleness. Lastly, the word "busybodies" had always struck home to me. Is what I am doing of eternal significance? Or am I just being a busybody, not really doing anything but doing something to keep myself busy?

God, please help me not to be idle, or to be a busybody, but help me to strive to further Your kingdom. Forgive me for replacing You with video games and TV shows. Please restore a passion and a desire to seek You and to know You above all the distractions of the world. Thank You for Jesus and that I can be forgiven through His work on the cross. Help me to fix my eyes on eternity and remind me of the coming again of Jesus, so that I may be diligent. Father, thank You for your grace and steadfast love. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Starting Again

It’s been almost two years since I have blogged regularly, but since my accountability group had decided to blog our devos I guess I will start again. So this time around the entries will be more personal than before as I reflect on the Bible, life and my readings. I will probably read over what I have written on the blog before and maybe continue where I left off.

Slippery Slope

Sorry for the lack of update in the blog, I have felt inadequate to continue in unpacking the life work and death of Jesus. I will get back to it soon.

I was in the car for 6 hours today and wrote a poem as a reflection of recent events.

When did it start, O slippery slope
That men once great can betray their hope
Where did it start, O slippery slope
My sorrow so great I cannot cope

Men of God who once stood tall
Neglect His Word they slip and fall
Men of God who once were called
Forsaking Him forfeiting all

My hope is found at the cross
Where all my gains are counted loss
All my righteousness cannot suffice
Apart from Jesus' sacrifice

For men once great I shed my tears
Because of slippery slopes I walk in fear
For fallen men I shed my tears
But to the cross I'll draw near

Holy Spirit help me see
The slippery slopes that surrounds me
Holy Spirit help me see
That I may always follow thee

My joy is found at the cross
Where all my life is counted loss
That I be free from my sinfulness
Because of Jesus Christ's righteousness

Of such grace I cannot dream
That by His blood I was redeemed
Of such glory I cannot dream
That I'll be face to face with Him

My life is found at the cross
Where all things else are counted loss
I no longer fear. O slippery slopes
Because of Christ my assured hope