Open the Bible UK Daily

We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully.1 Timothy 1:8The second distinctive of a gospel-centred church is gospel freedom. In other words, we are drawn by grace, not driven by law.It’s clear that there were difficulties in the church at Ephesus. Some were confused about the role of the Old Testament law in the life of a Christian believer. That’s not surprising. This is a difficult issue.Paul says two things: (1) The law is good, and (2) you have to use it properly. Here are two examples of the improper use of the law.1. Using the law for self-justificationThat’s what the rich young ruler did. He recited the Ten Commandments, and he said, “All these I have kept from my youth” (Mk. 10:20). He took a superficial look at God’s law and said, “I live a really moral life, so I must be good with God.” That is a terrible use of the law!2. Using the law for self-sanctificationSome folks have the idea that Christ forgives your past sins and opens heaven for your future joy, and that in the middle it’s up to you to live a good life. So find out what the law says and do it.Here’s the problem: The law can tell you what to do. It cannot give you the power to do it. The law is powerless because it was weakened by the sinful nature (Rom. 8:3). That’s the problem with all legalism and moralism. It is so limited, so calculating, so self-righteous.The gospel does not bring forgiveness, heaven, and the law. It brings forgiveness, heaven, and the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies, not the law.Of these two improper uses of the law, which is easiest for you to fall into?

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“Love that issues from…” Where does love come from? How does love grow? How can you become a loving person, and not a divisive one, at work, in your home, and in the church?Love comes from a pure heartThe word pure means “undivided.” James says the “double-minded” man is “unstable in all his ways” (Jas. 1:8). Set your heart on things above (Col. 3:1). Ask God to give you a stronger faith in Christ, a deeper love for Christ, and a firmer hope in Christ. Then you will be able to love.Love comes from a good conscienceThis means a conscience that is at rest with God. Is there a known sin in your life that you have allowed to remain? Your conscience is not at rest. It’s making you an angry, divisive person. It’s the root of your complaining spirit. Come clean with Christ. Be washed and receive a clean conscience. Then you will be able to love!Love comes from a sincere faithA sincere faith means that you really trust Christ. You don’t just talk about it. You trust Him whatever is happening—when you lose a job or get a new job, at the wedding and at the funeral. Peter says your trials prove that your faith is genuine (1 Pet. 1:6-7).If you receive these gifts today, you will be able to love! You will be able to love your wife, your children, and people who are difficult. You will love the church. Most of all you will love the Lord Jesus Christ who loved you and gave Himself for you.Which of these three areas might be holding you back from truly being able to love?

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.1 Timothy 1:5The first distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel faith. We want to be about God our Saviour and Jesus Christ our hope—rooted in His truth, growing in His love. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.But some people will be distracted. “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion” (1:6). It’s rare that anyone decides to abandon the truth. It happens gradually.There are four warning signs that a person is in danger of wandering away from the truth. Let’s look at them in the form of questions.1. Am I always looking for something new?Certain persons “devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (1:4). People who are deeply rooted in Christ are satisfied in Him, but if you’re always looking for something new, you could wander from the truth.2. Do I like to talk while avoiding action?Certain persons “have wandered away into vain discussion” (1:6). These folks are full of pious talk that masks an unholy life. If you see the Bible as ideas to be discussed rather than truth to be obeyed, you could easily wander from the truth.3. Do I want to teach more than I want to learn?Certain persons “desiring to be teachers” (1:7). These folks want to teach others but don’t really want to learn themselves. If you love to teach but do not love to learn, you are in danger of wandering.4. Does my confidence exceed my knowledge?Certain persons “desiring to be teachers… without understanding” (1:7). These people are supremely confident, forceful, high-handed. But Paul says they do not know what they are talking about.If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of these four warnings, ask God to help you get back on the path to truth.