A Filthy Truck

1 Timothy 1-Part 3
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NAS


LET IT GLOW

It's been 3-4 weeks now since the last time it rained here. That means everything is dusty. As I walk through the grass with flipflops on, my feet end up dirty. Dust and dirt are on the porch and inside my house because we live right on a dirt road. (Neighbors drive by a dozen times a day.) Yesterday, my granddaughter and I cleaned out the cab of our pickup truck. It was so filthy that it took half a container of wet wipes to remove the dust and dirt. It was nice to have it clean once again. However, I didn't wash the outside, knowing dust accumulates on it with every trip to town. I know that the outside could look clean, but the inside could be dirty or the outside could look dirty while the inside is clean. Isn't that the way it is with our life? We can clean and spruce up our body while neglecting our soul filthy with sin?
Paul has charged Timothy to teach  the doctrine of salvation of Jesus Christ. What else does this verse say?

The MacArthur Bible Commentary states this:

The goal of preaching the truth and warning of error is to call people to true salvation in Christ, which produces a love for God from a purified heart (2 Tim.2:22, 1Peter 1:22), a cleansed conscience (Heb.9:22, 10:14), and genuine faith (Heb. 10:22). This is the love of choice and the will, characterized by self-denial and self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, and it is the mark of a true Christian (John 13:35). In contrast, false doctrine produces only conflict and resultant disputes (verse 4). God created man with a conscience, knowing right from wrong. When he violates that standard, his conscience produces guilt, which acts as the mind's security system warning the soul. On the other hand, when a believer does God's will, he enjoys the affirmation.

Mature love flows from the hearts that are being purified, consciences which are cleansed, and faith that is without pretense. (Shepherd's Notes)

David Guzik said, "If spending time in God's word isn't producing love from a pure heart, a good conscience, or sincere faith in us, something is wrong. Legalism may make us twist God's Word, so instead of showing love we are harsh and judgmental; instead of a good conscience we always feel condemned knowing we don't measure up; and instead of sincere faith we pretty much trust in our own ability to please God."

The King James Bible uses the phrase faith unfeigned instead of sincere faith (NAS). In the Greek, the word for unfeigned is anypokritos, which is the word from which we get "hypocrite." It was a term used of actors, one who pretends to be what he is not! (Liberty Bible Commentary)

How's the thermometer of my love for God? Am I hot for God, or luke-warm? Is my love temperature set with a pure heart, a cleansed conscience, and a genuine faith? Do I daily confess my sins? Am I denying self for others to benefit? Is my conscience seared over or is it aleart to temptations and my sins? Is my faith real or a pretense? Do I sincerely pray and read God's Word daily? I certainly don't want to be known as a hypocrite.

God told Samuel that He looks upon the heart and man looks upon the outward appearance
(1Sam. 16:7). Does He see my heart clean and cleansed by the blood of Jesus or is it filthy with sin?


LET IT GROW

The purpose of Paul's charge to Timothy was so he would deliver this charge to the church. What was the charge? A military command; it demands a subordinate to obey an order from a superior (2 Tim.4:1). There was no option. (MacArthur)
Timothy was to stay away from, don't pay any attention to myths, fables, genealogies; beware of teachings/teachers causing doubts and questions instead of godliness and faith. These would change the focus of sharing the gospel with the lost to debates, keeping the law, etc.
Where is my focus?


LET IT GO

Have a pure heart, cleansed conscience, and genuine faith.

Teach the doctrines of Jesus Christ, salvation by faith.