5:21-25
This is a strong exhortation to observe and do according to Paul's instructions. Paul invoked God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels. He put these words in bold letters and underlined this for Timothy. He commanded him to observe these instructions without partiality toward one person over another. Why is this so dangerous? Why is it so important to treat everyone the same?
What does it mean to "lay hands suddenly on no man". I think this points to ordaining people in the ministry. This points to letting people in the ministry who are unqualified or do not have the qualities Paul outlined in this letter. It can be hard to hold people we like to the same standards as someone whom we do not like. However, Paul says to treat everyone the same. No one should receive preferred treatment. The world system is the complete opposite of this.
In the world system everything depends on a person's position and status. In the church, and the kingdom which is coming to this world, a person's title, name, and position do not matter. All that matters was that we were faithful with what God gave us. Remember we should want to hear the Lord say to us, "Well done good and faithful servant". The Lord does not reward us for elevating men over other men. He does not reward us for climbing up some economic, social, and business ladder. That reward is in the world system, but it should not be honored in the church.
However, what do we see today? People are honored by their titles, their positions, their certificates. They are honored because of who they know or are close to. This is in the outward church.
This is how I know that the majority of what we see in the outward church is just like the world. Many churches are just like corporations and worldly businesses and the people are a product which is bought and sold.
Paul concluded his comments with some instructions for Timothy to take care of his health. We must remember our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to strive to take care of our health with exercise, eating right, and getting proper rest.
6:1-2
We can translate these instructions into the employee and employer relationship. The lesson is to work hard, do a good job, but even more so if you happen to work for a Christian boss. Why? Because he is your brother in Christ! People tend to take advantage of Christians. Paul spoke to this. We are not to slack off because the boss is a Christian. We know a Christian shows mercy and grace. So people get lazy. But that is not the right answer. Instead, Paul taught us to work hard for the boss who is a Christian because he is a brother in Christ. We should want to benefit and help brothers in Christ.
There is another motive we should have for doing a good job and that is so we give the Lord Jesus a good reputation. If people know we are a Christian then we should want to work hard so we can make the Lord look good to other people. We do not want to give the Lord a bad name in front of unbelievers. The work place is where we spend most of our lives. It should be the place where we put our faith into practice. God has called us to be salt and light in the world and what better place to put this into action than the workplace.
Do you work hard? Do you get to work on time and put in a full day of work? Or are you lazy? Do you rebel against the authority placed over you? Can you receive correction, instruction, and direction from those who are over you? Your ability to humble yourself in the workplace and do what you are told will be a witness for or against the Lord Jesus. Keep that in mind next time you clock in at work.
7/23