1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV)

⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 

⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

I am looking at the words proper time and wondering if this has anything to do with God’s perfect timing. Testimonies for the most part are meant to witness to the lost. Yes they can be encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but I am thinking about the lost here.

When we witness to the lost and give our testimony, what is it we want to say first? Should it be about the grace of God? Should it be our transformed life? Should it be the peace of God? I do believe we all have a witness with valid reasons as to why we believe. This is why we do believe.

Do the lost need to hear the whole truth all in one setting? Do they need to know first about the ransom paid to set us free before they even know that they are in bondage? This is one of the finer details of witnessing that some overlook because of our zeal to share our stories.

I am thinking medical triage. What is the patient suffering from? An examination has to be performed to see what is wrong with the lost person in front of us. It is not always easy to use sensitivity during the examination. Patients do not like to be probed. Allow them to speak and allow the Holy Spirit to determine the source of the pain. Keeping in close touch with the Holy Spirit during the exam will be likened to a good chest x-ray. You will still need to be able to read it correctly.

What course to take and what subjects to address will come to light.

1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV) Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

First I would like to comment that this chapter begins by addressing a question posed in the previous chapter. While subjects change behaviors and attitudes can be the same for other situations. This is not about foods offered up to idols. It is about our understanding truth and how we come to know the truth. This is a continuation of yesterday’s blog.

The love expressed in this verse is agape love, God’s perfect love. Since we know that Jesus Christ is truth and Jesus Christ is God’s perfect expression of love, then Jesus is the not only the example but also the source of agape love.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

Since Christ is in us and His love abides faithful, then by faith we release that love thru obedience of faith. This builds us up in the same way you would exercise muscles. It builds up others as this agape love is received and is confirmed that it too dwells in each of us.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV) For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Christ is God’s glory. Christ abides is us. Whenever one of us speaks truth, the truth in us cries out Amen, I agree. In this way we not only confirm truth, we build up each other in this fellowship of the body of Christ and bonds form between us.