1 Timothy 1: Hold tightly
Consider: 1 Timothy 1
Paul is laying out an interesting challenge here to Timothy, his son in the faith. Listen to what he says in verse 19:
“Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”
That verse speaks to a lot of things, but primarily it simply says our faith has to be the solid thing in our lives. What are our lives founded on? Stuff? The pursuit of happiness? The American Dream? What is it that keeps us going everday?
Paul told Timothy to cling tightly. He didn’t say hold loosely. Or get around to working on your relationship with God when you feel like it. NO. He said cling tightly.
I kind of picture how little kids will latch on to their mom or dad’s leg and just hang on with all they have. That’s clinging.
So what happens if we don’t cling? Check out verse 20:
“Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of this. I turned them over to satan so they would learn not to blaspheme God.”
Not clinging is a big deal. Not being grounded in your faith in Jesus is a big deal. It’s not just a nice little raise-your-hand-once decision. This faith is life-altering and eternity-changing.
Cling to your faith. Cling to Jesus. He is the only One who never changes and He is the One who pursuing your heart.
TJ Bloom on June 19th, 2009
Such an awesome gift we were given as it says in verse 14 “Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.” and yet we don’t cling to Him as we should. In Timothy’s case Paul was sending his young student into a church of older “wiser” men who needed correction through the Holy Spirit. Sounds like a great time to cling tightly when you are about to enter or already in a difficult situation. But what happens when that situation or season passes? How is your grip on the Solid Rock of our faith? I, along with others I’m sure, find myself loosening my grip and lose hold sometime. In a life full of change people often look for something that doesn’t change. There is only one answer and its found in verse 17, “Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time,One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes!”
Dear Lord, help us all to get a grip and keep it !! Amen