God’s Word for You

1 Corinthians 4:17 My ways in Christ Jesus

by Pastor Timothy Smith on Tuesday, December 27, 2022

17 That is why I sent Timothy to you. He is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

Timothy was a young man Paul met in Galatia who joined Paul’s missionary team. Paul had already sent Timothy to Corinth when he began writing this letter (otherwise he would have included him in the greetings in 1:1). The uncertainty of travel in the ancient world might lead Paul to say “if Timothy comes” later in the letter rather than “when” (16:10), but Timothy and his preaching companion Erastus (Acts 19:22) were going to Macedonia (northern Greece) first, and this letter would reach Corinth long before Timothy did. The letter was doubtless sent by sea, but Timothy was walking overland and making stops along the way.

Paul wanted Timothy to instruct them “in my ways in Christ Jesus.” This included Paul’s way of living as a Christian and also Christian doctrine. Paul told Timothy later on: “You (that is, Timothy) know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings, etc.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11). If we contrast this with Paul’s “previous way of life in Judaism” (Galatians 1:13) we see the work of the gospel as opposed to the work of the law in Paul’s life. In Judaism, Paul’s way of living had been under obedience to the law, to measure up to the unattainable goal of righteousness through one’s own perfect obedience. It was a misunderstanding of how to live up to the command, “Be holy” (Leviticus 19:2), thinking that it was something man did rather than a gift God gives to men.

The Christian life and Christian doctrine are interconnected. This is where a modern theologian like Max Lucado consistently falls short, because of his book-by-book, sermon-by-sermon refrain: “Doctrine is not important.” When there is no agreement on the Bible’s teachings (doctrine), there cannot be agreement or unity of faith. Where there is no faith in the Bible’s teachings, there is no true faith in Christ, no salvation, and no Christian living at all.

Imagine a man who does not believe that Christ is the only way to heaven. Would we want such a man teaching religion to our children? Would you want to be served by such a man on your death bed? If he is eloquent and sells a lot of books he will continue to be popular, but his popularity is dangerous. He is like the “many deceivers” that John warns about in his letters, “deceivers who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” (or a whole cartload of other false doctrine) “have gone out into the world. Any such person,” John adds, “is the deceiver and the antichrist” (3 John 1:7). If such preachers in ancient times were antichrists, how much more isn’t this to be said of a man today rising up out of the church to lead people away from Jesus?

Consider the relationship of the Christian life and Christian teaching. If someone rejects Christ’s atoning forgiveness but thinks that Jesus is a wonderful example for moral living, he will look a lot like a saint, but he will not lead anyone to heaven. He will be a Pied Piper of Satan, leading people to hell with lovely-sounding music in his words but death as their destination.

Paul’s way in Christ is Christ’s way, not really Paul’s in terms of origin or ownership, but Paul’s to teach and demonstrate. Here Paul also demonstrates the futility of the Corinthian factions (I follow Paul, I follow Apollos, I follow Christ) by showing that true Christian teachers are one in doctrine with each other and with Christ. The way of Christ (Acts 24:14) is the whole divine teaching of Scripture, and a life that reflects it in its actions.

We must not treat the creeds as if they are Jenga puzzles, where we can see which blocks we can knock out and still leave the thing standing. I use the creeds as an example because every word in them was carefully chosen by the church in ancient times, discussed, preached about, sometimes argued over, and in the case of one phrase, caused a split in the church that lasted for centuries, but the wording in the Nicene Creed over that particular point comes directly from John’s Gospel (this was the controversy over the wording that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son,” which comes directly from John 15:26). If a man knocks out “the Father” from the first article, would we be content with that? If he knocks out “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried,” would we stand for that? If he dismisses “on the third day he rose again from the dead,” would there be any doubt that he is a heretic? So it is with all of the teachings of the Bible. Go back to your catechism and read the basics all over again. Say the Apostles’ Creed along with your bedtime prayers.

Surely the most comforting lines of the Apostles’ Creed are the final three clauses. Say them with delight, savoring the blessing of these words spoken in faith, and be assured that this is truly God’s message for you, now and always:

  I believe in the forgiveness of sins,
  the resurrection of the body,
  and the life everlasting. Amen.

In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith

 

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