30 minute Enchiladas 😋 From a Pure Heart

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith,

Here, Paul is writing to Timothy and instructing him to stay on top of things in Ephesus so that the teaching stays on track.

Apparently, some people have been introducing made-up stories and fanciful family trees that digressed into silliness instead of deepening their faith and obedience.

I’m sure you’ve noticed how error can be detected by what it produces.

Just like truth can be detected by what it produces.

We can tell the gospel is having its effect upon us when we are becoming more compassionate, tenderhearted and loving… and in turn we reflect these qualities to the people around us.

This is what Jesus said would happen and that’s why His great commandment to us is that we should love one another.

And the source of our love is, Christ.

Notice our verse says, "love which comes from a pure heart," …and then "a good conscience," …and then "sincere faith."

Here, Paul is working backwards… because faith comes first.

Faith is believing what God has said - in other words - what we believe.

By faith we believe that we are a new person; that we are not the same. Everything in Christianity is to come back to that. Our faith in Christ Jesus and His redemptive work at the cross.  

Therefore, love begins with sincere faith that the great facts of the gospel are personally true for each one of us… for me & for you.

When we believe that, our actions will begin to change. We begin to see that some of the things that we’ve been doing are not consistent with a changed life.

And because we have been made anew in Jesus Christ these things begin to fade.

We didn’t have to be forced to stop things; we begin to see that these things are inconsistent with a changed life.

And that is what Paul means when he speaks of a "good conscience." Conscience is the judge of your behavior.

Conscience, deals with the way we act, either accusing us or excusing us.

When our actions become consistent with who we are in Christ, we have a good conscience and it no longer troubles us.

Because we see ourselves as forgiven, restored, and accepted, and our past has been washed away. Every day we begin anew on this basis, living according to a good conscience.

And that, in turn, results in a pure heart.

Our inner attitudes and thought life begin to change because we’re no longer the same person.

As this occurs, we begin to be a vessel from which flows the love of God.

As Paul said in Romans 5:5, "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

Love begins to touch all those around you. That is the gospel.

And that is why Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to ensure that this message be made clear and uncomplicated in Ephesus.

Although we may not know what all the false teachings were in Ephesus, we can be certain that the need of the hour was urgent.

Because Paul normally opens his letters with thanksgiving for the faith of his readers… or for the grace given to them in Christ and with a word of blessing.

But in 1 Timothy it doesn't begin in this manner.

Whatever Timothy’s opponents were saying, Paul makes it clear what they were not teaching — “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” 

This love is the goal of all godly teaching.