The Goal of Our Instruction
“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3–5, ESV)
Building On Last Week
In last week’s post, I showed how Scripture doesn’t place a barrier between knowledge and godliness. It always speaks in such a way to promote knowledge as assisting in godly living. I want to build on that foundation a bit this week.
Some Pushback
There are some who may read last week’s post and say, “I know many people who KNOW many things but their knowledge hasn’t led them to godliness, it has actually led them away from godliness.” In response to this I typically answer, “Me too!!”
So what’s the deal? If the bible repeatedly speaks about the importance of knowledge in the path toward godliness, why can knowledge sometimes lead us in the opposite direction?
The Apostle’s Answer
Here’s one of the Apostle Paul’s answers to that question. In 1 Timothy he is speaking to a young pastor that is shepherding a struggling congregation. Paul tells young pastor Timothy that he is in this congregation to correct false teaching that’s been spreading (1 Tim 1:3).
These false teachers have “devoted” themselves to various myths and genealogies. At the core, they have devoted themselves to teaching things that ONLY lead to speculation. This is not a good thing. Their learning is for learning’s sake ONLY.
Our Goal
The Apostle contrasts the false teachers’ goal with our own goal when we teach God’s Word. He says, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5, ESV). Now, the word “charge” could also be translated “message/instruction.” He’s telling the young pastor that the GOAL of his instruction should NOT be like the false teachers—learning for learning’s sake—but for LOVE, a pure heart, and a sincere faith (which could also be translated an “unhypocritical faith”).
The “love” Paul is talking about most likely refers to the “two great commandments”—Love God and Love neighbor. THAT needs to be the goal of our instruction/knowledge. So, whenever we are teaching God’s Word, we need to make sure we are teaching with this goal in mind. A teacher teaches BECAUSE they want people to love God and love their neighbor as themselves.
We also need to apply this to our own studies—when we’re teaching ourselves. We need to be studying God’s Word with the express purpose of stirring our hearts to love Him more fully and loving our neighbor as ourself.
Two Results
If we study God’s Word for study’s sake OR because we want to show everyone how smart we are, it will only lead us further away from God. That’s not the purpose of God’s Word NOR the purpose for out studying and teaching God’s Word.
On the other hand, if we come to God’s Word with a strong desire to know Him more fully, love Him more fully, and serve Him more fully. Then you will benefit from the knowledge you find in Scripture. It will stir your heart in love for God. It will equip you for every good work. It will assist you in living a godly life.