Missed The Point

ByJim Stephens

Reading: 1 Timothy 1; Psalm 125

5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. (1 Timothy 1:5-6 NLT)

Paul was a purpose-driven teacher. His purpose and intent was to teach God’s truth and teach it in such a manner that the result would be lives filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. He said, ‘Some teachers are teaching things that only cause arguments and don’t help people live a life of faith in God. They’ve missed the whole point!’

Over the past few years, I’ve come to realize in a new, fresh, and deeper way that God actually, truly, deeply, unconditionally loves me. God loves me and has my best interests at heart in everything he does to me, for me, and in me.

And God loves those around me with the same deep, rich love. So that means that everything God does through me, every word I speak, everything I teach, every bit of influence I have on others is intended to communicate God’s love and to spark the experience and expression of God’s love in them!

So there we have it!

  • Teaching that helps people live a life filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith, is good.
  • Teaching that leads to arguments, and doesn’t help people live a life of faith, misses the whole point.

How’s My Teaching? How’s your teaching, influence, example? Don’t miss the point!

Prayer:

Father, Please help me to focus my teaching – whether spoken or written, formal or informal – on helping people live a life filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. My life is too short, and the stakes are too high, for me to waste time in meaningless discussions about the things that don’t really matter. May my hearers and my readers be influenced toward living a life filled with love!  Amen.