Various troubles within the church prompted me to look into 1 Timothy for the last several days.
I was impressed with the first chapter. Things that may explain a stagnant church are found. Such a church has people that pay attention to myths, man-made thought patterns, that lead to various "what ifs", "potentials". The useful church bypasses these conversations altogether and settles directly on the work of God for the moment - those things that lead to the concrete advancement of God's program for our day. Things done only by faith. (v4) There is more in the chapter of course.
Most impressive to me is the autobiographical section by Paul (12-16). This is a pastoral epistle. It is addressed to Timothy as the leading man in Ephesus during that day. Needless to say his plate was full. His was a plate with sweet and rich foods but also sour and foul foods. How can Timothy deal with all of the varied people and problems in the church? To address these troubles, Timothy would need a healthy dose of perspective. This is what Paul gives - perspective. Paul lets Timothy know how a pastor can be so effective for God. It is because there is something in his heart. God has placed the experiential knowledge of His own mercy there. He has experienced God's mercy . . himself! The deep well of knowing and experiencing God's One-on-one mercy beat in Paul's heart. God had mercy on sinner Paul. (Verse 13 says that he was shown it and verse 16 says he found it. These are two sides of the same coin.)
Early in this epistle, Paul reminds Timothy (and himself!) of just how much mercy he received before he shepherds his dear son in the faith. We should all start there. We should first remember the mercy shown to us. The person that has remembered the mercy that God has shown him can now shepherd His people effectively. What is on your plate?
