Word@Work, Let God's Word energise your working day!

The Lord Watches Our Faith

1 Timothy 6:13-16
In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no-one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen. (NIV)

Paul had just told Timothy to flee from ungodliness, pursue righteousness, fight against Satan’s lies and hold onto eternal life (1 Timothy 6:11-12). Then Paul wrote that the instruction was not his idea but came from God the Father and God the Son. Timothy must take every step to ensure that his life was kept pure and his doctrine free from error because the Lord is coming back. It was a very strong command, which still applies to every believer and especially those who have spiritual responsibility for others (James 3:1).
 
The physical return of Jesus is the hope of every believer. God alone knows when, but Jesus has promised to come again in glory with authority to judge all people (Matthew 26:63-64). Nobody will be able to contest God’s judgement: it will be perfect because God is, for ever, supreme; only God’s Word will stand for ever (1 Peter 1:24-25).
 
The Christian faith is not a religious game. It is a serious relationship which begins when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord, and continues as a personal struggle to serve the Lord righteously - resisting temptations to think and behave in an ungodly way - until we meet Jesus face to face. The solemnity of that responsibility comes through in these verses which describe the awesome majesty of God who is beyond the reach of any human manipulation. Our only wise response is to trust the Lord and obey Him in every area of life.

Prayer 
Sovereign Lord. Thank You that You are unchanging, You cannot be conquered and You cannot be manipulated in any way. Forgive me when I think that I can bargain with You or impose my will on Yours: I now know that is foolish and futile. Please help me to have such a genuinely awed view of Your character that I will feel the privilege of belonging to You and the responsibility of pleasing You in every way so that when Jesus returns I will not be ashamed. In His Name. Amen.
Bible Book: 

© Dr Paul Adams