The Purpose

1 Tim. 12:20

Paul now goes on to explain the purpose of the charge, that is, love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Does it make the charge that much stronger when you know the purpose of the charge? I know that there are people who won't do anything unless they know the reason why. Perhaps Paul is handling that type of person. Anyway, Paul says he has issued the charge so that Timothy [and us] might wage the good warfare, holding the faith and a good conscience. 

The Christian life is definitely a warfare. Many times this struggle comes from outside sources in the form of ridicule or persecution, even at the cost of life. But even if the outside elements are fairly calm, there is always a struggle from within. Here we wage war against our flesh, the thing that defeats us almost before we begin. We know what we should do, yet our flesh never seems to cooperate. How appealing Satan makes the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes!

How much we need to cry out for help and rely on the strength and power of His glorious grace! And how much we need to desire to fulfill the charge that we might be pleasing to Him.

Father,

Help me to have a pure-hearted love, a good conscience and a sincere faith. I want to wage a good war holding onto my faith and keeping a good conscience.

In Jesus name,

Amen