"We'll make Lasagna today", my flatmate said. So we got Jamie's recipe book out. There was a list of ingredients; we got that bit right. Alongside the list were measurements, when to put what, i.e. the instructions. But along the way, we began to miss and make up some steps. We finished making the Lasagna quite all right, but the taste and look of that thing. It went straight into the bin. Lesson learnt, follow the recipe!
In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul begins to give Timothy some doctrines (like godly recipes) for Christian ministry and living. And in our passage (in v3), he identifies in summary what makes up a godly recipe (which is also how to tell wrong teachings):
- Agreement with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ
- Agreement with godliness (instructions from God's Word)
- In our passage: Paul gives examples of teachers who have gotten swayed by money. (v4-5) they have unhealthy arguments... and think godliness is a way to make quick money.
- In Acts 19:11-17 we see another example of those who felt godliness was a means to fame, which is a dangerous game.
- And yet we see another in Acts 8:15-23 who thought that the gift of God can be bought with money. Peter identified such as a heart 'full of bitterness and captive to sin'.
Again, how do we guard against false beliefs? By teaching, insisting on, and being content with God's Word.
Reflect & Pray
In what ways can being content with God's Word bless your life? How can you become more
aware of this?
Father, help us to always follow the godly recipe and to be content with Your Word in Jesus name.
God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.