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One Purpose to “Go into Ministry.”
Rod Shimabukuro1Tim. 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
Paul instructs Timothy to be a guardian of teachers of the Word of God. Some strayed from the purpose of the commandment which is LOVE! Stories, background to the text, debates about doctrine (good stuff) but can become idle talk. Disputing the commands rather than godly edification became a goal of some of these students of the law, who desired to be teachers - desiring to “go into the ministry.”
Many desire to “go into the ministry.” The ministry of what? Pastoring, teaching the Word of God. We have Bible training schools, institutes and colleges galore, equipping people “to go into ministry.” It’s a good thing - but sometimes I think Spiritual Leaders like myself need to do a better job guiding, evaluating, speaking truth…to those who desire to teach, pastor and lead. Many I know “get trained” but are not “using their degree” for His purposes - or so it seems.
Maybe the guidelines for teachers are the same purpose in verse 5! Students, teachers, trainees, interns, pastors…May we GROW DEEPER IN LOVE, from a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith!
The tasks of minsitry, the training to be better leaders...can subtly drown out the greatest Purpose!
- Will my purpose be to build a big church, or build loving people?
- To “be the best” we can be - or to BE LOVE…to one another?
- To be the best pastor, teacher, leader…or to BELIEVE, then BE, then LIVE…ALOHA?
Ok Lord…by Your Spirit, start within me, continue within me…the work of developing Your love. This kind of pure love, with a clean/good conscience and a sincere faith. Help me not to be insincere. You know how my heart can be…insincere, impure and selfish. O God - forgive me…the I may be a teacher of Your Commands, who edify and equip Your people in godliness!
