Duncan Perry headshot

Duncan Perry

On Christmas Eve morning, I ate breakfast with dear friends from church. As we ate, some of the shocking news events seeped into our conversations: a sleeping woman being set on fire in a New York City subway car while her assailant watched her die; Luigi Mangione pleading 鈥渘ot guilty鈥 to murder charges, while smirking for photographers as the internet buzzed about the brand of sweater he wore. All this tragedy met our troubled minds in the waning hours before Christmas Day.

As we cross off the first few squares on our new calendars, many of our hearts are still burdened by the weight of 2024. At times, you may wonder to yourself, 鈥淚n this spiraling world, can there be good news?鈥 If that is you, friend, the next book in our Bibles is for you.

We turn in the Scriptures again and find Paul鈥檚 first letter to Timothy, Paul鈥檚 prot茅g茅 and emissary to the Ephesian church. Paul鈥檚 purpose was to offer sturdy truth and practical, Christian wisdom for the Church and its shepherds in spiritually troubling times. Paul used a framework of 鈥渢rustworthy sayings鈥 to edify the layfolk and leadership of the local Church, proving that the truth of God鈥檚 Word meets the acute grief and common grind of God鈥檚 people with gritted grace.

First, Paul charged Timothy to avoid the 鈥渕eaningless chatter鈥 of false teachers (1 Timothy 1:6). Apparently, false teachers had infiltrated the church with confident opinions that were unbiblical. Paul advised his young apprentice and 鈥渟on in the faith,鈥 to avoid these people and their dangerous opines that led to licentious living. Instead, Paul pointed Timothy to Jesus with his first 鈥渢rustworthy saying.鈥 Paul wrote, 鈥淗ere is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners鈥攐f whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life,鈥 (1 Timothy 1:15 鈥 16, NIV). When facing down the mindless chatter of each era, the obvious lies that lead to licentiousness, God鈥檚 people of every age have been called repeatedly to lean into the gospel of Jesus. In remembering who we were before God鈥檚 grace met us through faith in Jesus, we remember Who Jesus is, and all that He is for us. The gospel quiets proud tongues.

Second, Paul charged Timothy to remind the Ephesians that desiring the office of eldership in the Church is a noble thing. Paul wrote, 鈥淗ere is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer [elder] desires a noble task,鈥 (1 Timothy 3:1, NIV). Just as the leaders were commended to avoid empty talk and to cling to the gospel of Jesus, so they were to aspire to lead God鈥檚 people, and to lead them well. It is no accident that this commendation is couched in a passage concerning the correct manner of prayer and worship in the Church鈥攖imeless instructions for God鈥檚 people. Paul wanted to remind Timothy and the Church that the often-thankless calling of eldership in the Church is a noble, worthy pursuit in God鈥檚 economy. While the lies of the culture commend self-promotion, the Lord places eternal value on this office of serving and sacrificing to shepherd His people. The gospel corrects priorities.

Third, Paul charged Timothy with the exhortation from which the remainder of his letter flowed: minding personal spiritual disciplines. Paul wrote, 鈥淔or physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe,鈥 (1 Timothy 4:8 鈥 10, NIV). This final exhortation covered the gamete of believers鈥 spiritual lives鈥攂oth personally and corporately. Again, Paul grounded his wisdom in the truth of Christ鈥檚 gospel. The gospel keeps life in perspective.

Have you been walking through a troubling season, friend? Does the evening news keep you awake at night? The consistent call of Scripture is neither to seek escape, nor to sugar-coat reality. Rather, the Scriptures repeatedly point us to the gospel of Jesus and consistently tell us to start there. Begin with the truth; continue in the truth; and rest assured that God鈥檚 Word will prove true in the end. Troubling times remind us that we need a Savior, Jesus. We find Him, by grace through faith, as we trust Him in our place at the cross and in the resurrection. May you rest in His gospel truth in this new year, come what may.

Hannah Strong Oskin is the executive editor of MyHorry黑料社入口. Reach her at 843-488-7242 or hannah.oskin@myhorrynews.com. Follow her on X @HannahSOskin.

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