5 Lessons from Timothy's Pastoral Letters

Timothy, was a young protege of Apostle Paul. Sometimes after Paul's release from his imprisonment in Rome ( Acts 28), He sent Timothy to Ephesus and assigned him to watch over the church there. Paul's specific assignment for Timothy was to stop the growth of false doctrine in Ephesus. 

However, Timothy felt unfit to accept his assignment as pastor of the Ephesian church. He was too young and too inexperienced, and the church seemed too large for his first pastoral assignment. Besides, how could he take over for the church's founder, Paul? Would anyone take him seriously? .

Paul told Timothy to follow his instructions and he will be more than able to do the job. He told him that God chooses leaders based on the availability, not their ability, on their willingness to walk in obedience to him, not their experience.

Timothy's Pastoral Letters are presented as letters from Paul the Apostle to Timothy and also to Titus. They are given the title " Pastoral" because they are addressed to individuals with Pastoral oversight of churches and discuss issues of christian living , doctrine and leadership . This letter is concerned with the good governance, effectiveness and growth of an organization - in particular, the church of God. ( 1st Timothy 3:14- 15). This letter also asserts that in order for one to be a priest or a Bishop , he must be a moral example , other- centered , and be willing to undergo any kind of trial for the sake of the Gospel. 

The main theme of Timothy's Pastoral Letters expresses the importance of devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ through behavior and conduct , thus , a few lessons have been learnt from his Pastoral Letters. 

1. There is a need for Peace and order in the Household of God

The Book of 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that " For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the congregation of the lord's people". Paul urges christians to pray for their rulers because peace and order are christians' first instrument of engagement with the world. Paul's instructions were grounded in the oneness of God, the singularity of Jesus Christ as the mediator.

Here are a few practical tips to maintaining peace and order in the Household of God.

• Walk in the live of Christ, give freely expecting nothing back. Repay evil with good as well. 
• Unforgivesness will bring disorderliness and Rob you of your peace. However, Forgive. 
• Renew your mind with the word of God. Study and meditate on the word of God regarding peace. (Hebrews 12:14) says " Pursue peace with all people, and holiness , without which no one will see the lord". 
• Honestly seek peaceful relationships with people. 

2. Godliness with contentment is profitable.

Paul urges Christians who are rich in this present age to not be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. He also tells them to do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share and also storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 7:6-10 says " But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing to this world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. " 

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In his letter, Paul also warns Timothy about corrupt teachers who will divert believers from true faith in Christ by arguing over words, creating trivial controversies and pursing schemes to get rich. ...Rather than consider amassing wealth for great gains, Christians should be content with whatever they have.

Keys to Godly contentment

• Trust God to meet your every need.
• Be grateful for whatever you receive.
• Never allow yourself to complain about anything.
• Practice Gratitude
• Do not be anxious about anything , but in everything , by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made know to God (Philippians 4:6)

3. There is a need to prioritize prayer as Christians.

One of the most amazing aspects of our relationship with God is that we can personally communicate with him through prayer . Prayer is an essential building block of our faith and one of the most effective and powerful weapons The Bible declares that " The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. ( James 5:16). 

In 1 Timothy, Paul urges believers in Timothy's Pastoral letter to pray for and give thanks for all people , including government leaders and those in authoritative roles.

We can efficiently prioritize prayer by;

• Keeping prayer reminders
• Remembering to pray at the same time each day.
• Developing a daily prayer habit, life can be busy and it's easy to forget to pray .

As Christians, there is no reason why we should cease to pray. Jesus said in the book of Luke 18: 1 that " men ought to always pray, and not to faith". 

4. Be diligent in your services to God as a worker in his vineyard.

In 1 Timothy 4:15, Paul tells Timothy to ' practice these things , immerse yourself in them , so that all may see your progress '. This is a reminder that we should be diligent and persistent in serving God. 

As Ambassadors of Christ, we must serve with humility so that God receives the glory that he deserves. Whatever success we experience belongs to the lord, whose spirit is working through us.

Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest and energetic effort. God expects us to work diligently . There is joy and satisfaction in doing God's work. 2 Timothy 2:15 says " Be diligent to present yourself approved to God , a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" . 

The goal of being a diligent worker should be the goal of all of God's children .

How do we live diligent?

• Do not procrastinate when a work is to be done.
• Act without having to be told what to do all the time.
• Don't give up when things get hard.
• Continually pray for God's guidance and strength.

5. Guard your Faith

This is our saving faith in Christ Jesus which gives us a new life on earth and an eternity in heaven with God. We will be in eternal Bliss in the splendor of God's presence. 1 Timothy 6:20 says " O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babbling and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. By professing it some have strayed concerning the faith" . This tells us to protect our faith and keep it pure and undefiled . We should be careful of what we allow into our minds and hearts .

How to guard your faith ..

• Take solace in prayers; Put on your spiritual armour.
• Spread light, not darkness
• Regularly examine your faith.
• Monitor your thoughts and reject those that contradicts God in your life.

Conclusion

In Timothy's Pastoral Letters, Paul was inspired by the holy spirit to convey practical truths to leaders of local churches . Paul was concerned so that the truth of the gospel be preserved and passed on to future Christians and local churches .

God has established an order for the church that brings peace, prosperity and stability . The truth found in these letters when prayerfully applied to any area of our lives will manifest God and bring glory to him.