A note from our Pastor:

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

1 Timothy 6:12

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In our study verse this week, the Apostle Paul shifts his focus with Timothy. In the prior verses, he has focused on the conflicts and issues that plague a ministry. Now in this verse, he calls Timothy’s attention back to heavenly matters. He recenters his study and preaching on the gifts of God that bring hope to the people.

A favorite reference for the Apostle, and basis for many of his analogies, were the ancient Olympics. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, the Apostle wrote that all run the same race but there is only one prize. His references are often to the wrestling and running races that were popular with those Olympic competitions. Here, he refers to Timothy’s ministry as a wrestling match and tells him to lay hold on the prize of eternal life.

The Apostle tells Timothy that the matters of the earthly ministry are important. This includes the conduct of the disciples. Yet, the real prize is the hope of eternal glory. He goes on to say that eternal life is also a calling. This is true for each child of God. The children of God have before them the prize of eternal glory by the irresistible calling of God. That calling was accomplished by the covenant formed before the foundation of the world and by the completed work of Jesus Christ.

The instruction from the Apostle to Timothy is to lay hold on that prize. But to do so is not as easy as just walking up and grabbing it. One must wrestle with all of the challenges and tribulations of life. The day-to-day difficulties of living can make it difficult for one to remember the hope that is present in Jesus. Thus, the Apostle’s analogy shows the importance of persistence. You must win that wrestling match with life to hold on to the prize of the hope of eternal glory.

Finally, it was important for the Apostle, as well as Timothy, to teach the congregations about matters of practical living. The essence of being a disciple is how we live in this life. Thus, the Apostle like Jesus spent far more time on practical living matters than on eternal salvation. The minister today should do the same. But the hope of eternal glory provides the disciple with the strength to live this life. That hope should be reinforced often as well.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah