We’re continuing on in the New Testament today in 1 Timothy.  We’re looking at what is the goal, the end result that is hoped for by reading God’s Word?  To the best of my ability, I try to proclaim Truth from the Bible.  Why?  Ultimately the goal is salvation for all who hear the gospel, but what is the progressive heart change that is hoped for, as it relates to daily living?

1 Timothy 1:5 – “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

The goal is love.  This love is a specific type of love though, it is a love that comes forth from three things:  1) a pure heart 2) a good conscience and 3) a sincere faith

A pure heart is meant to be a heart that is single-minded in devotion to God.  Each of us is tempted in many ways on a daily basis.  Each of us has many opportunities to just do what we want to do or what seems good to us, without even considering God.  As Christians, we want to keep pressing God’s truth into our heart so that we will trust Him, and submit our lives to Him in all things – having a pure heart.

A good conscience is simply the conscience of someone who has repented of their sin, their self-will against God, and is walking in joyful obedience to God’s will.  Joyful because God is our eternal treasure, and source of lasting joy.  As we walk with Him, we will see more and more of Him for us to draw joy from.

A sincere faith, is a steadfast faith rooted in the Truth of God from His Word and the gospel of Jesus.  A faith that is now swayed, but immovable, just as God Himself is immovable and unchanging.

The end result of all Bible teaching should be love for God and love for others that flows from these things.  My questions for us all today would be 1)  Are we walking with a pure heart?  A good conscience?  A sincere faith?  If not, what do we need to confess and turn over to God today.  2)  How is God’s teaching rooting the love of Christ in your heart?  3)  How are you loving God and others with the love that God has revealed in your heart through the gospel of Jesus?

Grace and Peace,

Adam