How Paul’s Focus On the King Impacted His Future.

We’ve looked at Paul’s Past and we’ve looked at Paul’s Present and now, we get a glimpse into his Future.

Paul has given Timothy some really difficult instruction throughout the first chapter of this letter.

Maybe Paul’s wondering, “How is Timothy going to take it? Will he accepted it whole-heartedly or will it bring him anxiety? Will he be able to boldly commit to each piece of instruction?“

At the end of 1 Timothy 1, in verse 17, Paul tags this chapter with a future-focused prayer, giving glory and honour where it’s due: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1:17)

Initially, this might feel like a simple sign off, but it’s so much more than that.

Paul’s Future

In Paul’s mentorship of Timothy, this is like a seal on the why we’re going through all this. It’s like Paul the mentor is coming along side his son in the faith, putting his arm around him and saying:

“Timothy, I’ve explained what you need to do and why you need to do it; but let’s not forget who we’re doing it for. He’s up there, caring for us and guiding us through all this difficult stuff. We just need to keep our eyes on our King Eternal Timothy. He’s waiting for us and some day brother, we’ll be with Him!”

Our Future

I feel like this can be so much more than just an encouragement or a prayer.

When I read this verse, I feel like it encompasses a position of worship. I feel like I need to lay prostrate or lift my hands as I read this: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1:17)

All the work to purge sin from our lives and to seek Christ more fully is worth it when we focus on this statement. This statement should compel us into total submission, giving God full authority over our lives.

It’s difficult to think selfish thoughts when this statement is in the forefront of our mind. It’s difficult to be offended or feel hard done by, when this verse in our focus.

Remember…Jesus Came To Save Sinners

Looking into heaven at our King, really thrusts us back to the reality of our present life found in verse 15. We cannot forget that “…Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1:15) Of which Paul said,  “…I am the worst.” (1:15)

God leads Paul to write, “…I am the worst.” Not “I was the worst” or “I used to be the worst”, but “…I am…” present tense “…the worst.” This is a small piece of Scripture, but don’t miss how incredibly important this statement is to each and every one of us.

You see, even when Paul was in top leadership over almost every aspect of the Gospel mission and church scripture, Paul understood that he was still a sinner that needed Christ in his life each and every day. He never acted or spoke like he had arrived.

He was still a sinner and in his mind, the worst sinner.

By recognizing that and keeping his past at the forefront of his mind, Paul was also able to keep Christ at the forefront of his mind.

Wretched Man

In Paul’s letter to the Roman church he wrote, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.”

And a few verses later he writes, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Maybe you feel wretched? Maybe you feel like the worst sinner? Maybe you don’t feel worthy enough for Jesus? Maybe you believe that you have a past that Jesus won’t except?

I understand that some of us carry baggage and regrets, pain and heartache, guilt and shame; but I’ll say it again, Jesus came to save sinners.

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Jesus came to save you and me. If you haven’t ever given over that hurt and shame, today’s the day.

CAN I GET YOUR FEEDBACK?

Paul paints a glorious picture of Christ in 1 Tim. 1:17. Why did God lead Paul to write this verse? What thoughts or feelings are stirred in you?