1 Timothy 1:5-7 English Standard Version

⁵ The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, ⁷ desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

The love that issues forth from a pure heart is agape, perfect love. A good conscience and sincere faith only facilitate loves release and are not responsible for the quality of that love.

Paul’s warning in this opening letter to Timothy is directed towards those who desire to teach in our churches. The same could be said about any of us in that the aim of love is meant to be universal. Love will do what loves does because that is what agape love is in performance and character.

What do we think when we hear someone say “I got this.” The need to place “I” in the forefront is a clear indication of confidence in the flesh. Vain discussions do not produce Godly results. God does not move in vain attempts. God moves in agape love, released from a pure heart by good conscience and sincere faith.

When we come to a better understanding of God’s Word we should be mindful always of just how we got there. Our instructor is the Holy Spirit. Comfort from Him is not confidence in the flesh, it is given to overcome the anxiety of human reflection of a past life which we left behind.

The flesh will always tag along and try to take credit for what God has done. We spend a good portion of our former life trying to be achievers. We left that life to pursue a life in Christ. The longer we do that successfully the more our lives reflect the love inside us.

It has to get through our flesh to be seen.

Ecclesiastes 4:13 English Standard Version (ESV) Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.

There are two kinds of advice, good and bad. We probably have experience with both. Even those who love us are capable of giving bad advice. How can we know for sure if advice is good or bad?

Begin with praying for Godly wisdom. James tells us God gives freely of His wisdom for all who ask. That is risk free advice. The best advice is free and without an element of danger.

Pay someone for advice and be warned that their primary interest is to get paid and make a living. Wisdom will allow you to judge the value in paid advice. It is wise to get an inspector to examine a property for both value and legal adherence before buying property. Wisdom hires the inspector rather than allowing someone else to pay for it because then they work for someone else.

Much of the advice we take in this world comes with risk. Wisdom mitigates risk down to a reasonable amount that we can live with.

When it comes to Kingdom living, fellowship of the saints, discipleship, doctrine and theology the only advocate we need is Jesus Christ. Godly wisdom in the elders is required to administrate any church. Godly wisdom is required to pastor a flock, teach Sunday school or lead a study group. The only way to recognize Godly wisdom is in having close personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Godly wisdom shows up in demonstration of faith. What we do by way of our faith walk is seen by all.

The only risk in that is being seen to be human. We cannot escape that. Exposing ourselves to our own weaknesses is a good thing. The result is correction and realignment to God’s instructions for this abundant life. We do not want to end up being an old foolish king that ignores sound advice.