Though we are coming to the end of this letter, the task of implementation is just about to take place in Timothy's life and in ours. The illusive part of studying the Bible is that we some times believe that once I have read and/or studied the text my task is ended. In reality the reading and studying are the preliminary parts of the overall process. As the Psalmist states, "Thy work have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against God" (Psalms 199:11). And again the letter from James states, "Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
What is the point? Timothy has received a letter from Paul; he has carefully read it, and now the battle for implementing it is about to begin. This is the same for us. Have we studied the letter? Yes. Is that the end of the matter? No. Like Timothy, the storm of life's conflicts are present. Now, doing the word begins. The storm clouds are already present in Ephesus. Paul has given Timothy the tools he needs to navigate through the challenge. Now he must enter the storm.
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July 29, 2012 | John Bayles | (1 Timothy 6:11-21)
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