“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:1-2
It is remarkable, even essential, to point out at the beginning of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, that he deals that which is of God, coming from God, and is the testimony and manifestation of God. He speaks of grace, mercy, and peace literally coming from God, being given to Timothy, not only to know about from an objective standpoint, but to experience the life of Christ by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit’s presence and power in the life of the believer comes from God the Father and the Son. Paul is addressing Timothy to recognize and received that which God is giving to him, the highest blessing on this earth and in the life. It is the communication of the nature, person, and presence of the Father and Lord Jesus to the heart.
The first thing that Paul says, declares, is that which is the most essential thing in the Christian life, communion with God, the believer abiding in Christ, and Christ abiding in him. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believes he puts the matter ever so clearly: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9) Later in the first chapter of Paul’s letter, he declares, “The end (or ultimate purpose) of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Tim. 1:5) Here is the whole matter, that man was created to know God, for this is, as Jesus declared: “Life eternal.” (John 17:3) To know Him is not just to know the truth about Him. It is to have the Spirit of truth, of Christ, dwelling in the heart. Christ’s presence is revealed according to the liberty given to Him to work and move by the Spirit. This liberty is characterized by the believer’s submission to the words of Christ, and the receiving by faith of the blessings. The grace, mercy, and peace of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, are experienced in a very tangible manner, for there is the communication of the love of God to the heart, and through the life.
Paul later speaks to Timothy concerning different vessels which are found in a great house. Some of these vessels are made of gold and silver. Their purpose is not to create controversial issues or conflicts, majoring on minor issues of life. Their purpose is to receive oil by which lamps are lit, and the light of the knowledge of God by objective truth is proclaimed. But also, and just as important, is their purpose of containing the life of Christ by the Spirit, showing forth that light of Life to the world. As the candlestick in the Old Testament, and in the new, was an instrument to give forth light, so is the believer, and the church. This is not possible without the communication of the Life of Christ by the Spirit, born out of communion with Christ. To miss this purpose for the sake of discussion or dissention, is to miss all. It means that one has perhaps strained at the gnat, and swallowed the camel, preoccupied with that which is not the major issue, and missing the great purpose. The primary, and first call of God to the believer, is to communion. Jesus put it so clearly when He said: “I am the true Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) Having been placed in an inseparable union with Christ, the believer’s primary responsibility and privilege is to derive all from Christ to give Life to the world.
Dear Father, “Let nothing now our hearts divide,” abiding in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.