When we become a Christian, we enjoy many new things. New hope as we look forward to heaven. New confidence as we place our trust in the saving work of Jesus. New relationship as we are adopted as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Alongside all that, we also join into a new community as we take our place within the life of a church family.
But what is this Christian community that we have joined supposed to look like? Who decides what principles govern our church life? Do we just go with the flow and do whatever seems best to each of us? Should decision-making authority be given to longer-standing members of the church? Is it the church staff or council that should have the final say? Rather than looking around at one another, it is far better that we look above and beyond ourselves. For it is God the Father, in Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, who established the church. It is, therefore, God himself who has the right to determine how our community life is to be shaped.
what we believe shapes the way we live
The book of 1 Timothy is written by Paul to a younger church leader he has trained up. Paul is writing into a context where there are different voices sharing a range of opinions on how to do church and be community. Not every opinion is considered equally helpful or true, and Paul writes to Timothy to encourage him to stay true to the glorious gospel of the blessed God and to allow that heavenly truth to shape the life of the community. What is taught shapes our belief, and what we believe shapes the way we live. It is of fundamental importance that we hold to the truths taught in the Bible, and which leads to a life of faith and love.
1 Timothy is full of practical and challenging wisdom for church life. Over these coming weeks, as we learn from the book of 1 Timothy, we will be considering how the gospel shapes how we think about truth, belief, worship, leadership, certainty, family, and contentment. In each of these different areas, it is not up to us to determine what we think is right. We are not to follow the latest trends or to follow what seems right in our own eyes. Instead, we return to the Bible, putting into practice those things that are commanded and establishing godly principles that will shape our shared life together.
Do be prayerfully prepared as we begin this new teaching series. Why not re-familiarise yourself with the letter by reading it through a couple of times, and pray for the Spirit to be at work to make us a more gospel-shaped community.
