Order life to doctrine
Key Verses: 2, 3, 7-8, 12
Some issues in life don’t change over the millennia. Self-control, addictions, and rebellion plagued the ancient world. They plague our modern world as well. What is different is that Paul tells Timothy to point these shortcomings out to his congregation. Corrective teaching is important. We shouldn’t let sin ride, in other’s lives or in our own. I am pointing them out to you. Get control of yourself. Don’t let self be the driving factor in the way you conduct your life. Think of others first. Do what honors Christ.
We have many more addictions than the ancient world. Paul focuses on alcohol because it was so readily available. Oh, alcohol seems to be readily available and culturally acceptable today. Maybe alcohol consumption is an issue for us in our day and age. Frat parties never seem to get out of hand. Date rapes don’t seem to happen when alcohol is consumed. We don’t have drunk driving fatalities. We don’t wake up in the morning regretting our evening’s activities. Or do we?
Having lived the last 35 years sober, I can tell you I don’t miss the buzz. Or the after effects. I have learned to relax, to enjoy people’s company, to have fun, and all without alcohol! I know it sounds crazy, but it is true. You can have fun without it. You can take the edge off without “just one”.
But not drinking will mean you have to learn to deal with life! Pain, sorrow, suffering, unanswered questions, sins, regrets, obligations… joy, exhilaration, ecstasy, peace, calm, contentment, fulfillment. Alcohol flattens our lives. And being a depressant, it pushes us toward experiencing the darker emotions more, the very emotions we are trying to avoid! We are caught. Catch 22!
Read those first eight verses again. Don’t they sound like something we need in our culture, maybe even in our own lives? Verses 7 & 8 have been a driving force in my life for the first thirty years of my walk with Jesus. I guess I will have to find a different verse, since now I am no longer young! Maybe you could adopt these verses so I can let them go! Someone needs to live them out. Memorize them. Chew on them. Apply them. Don’t be satisfied with your life until your life matches the ideals laid out here.
God’s grace teaches us that there is something better, something worth reaching for, worth giving some things up for. Grace opens the door to more grace. Grace opens the door to Christ’s Second Coming, and our participation in that event. Grace opens heaven and the total fulfillment that heaven will bring.
Will you make the choice today! Will you follow wholeheartedly!
The Arnold Journey 