As Paul writes his first letter to Timothy, his opening words remind us that “Christ Jesus is our hope.” That’s what this letter is all about. That’s what the Christian message is all about. That’s what the Bible is all about. And so that’s what our lives should be all about.
We so easily become distracted by lesser things, and so become easily discouraged by little things. But Christ Jesus is our hope! Is Jesus still on the throne? Is his blood still able to cleanse our every sin? Is his example still inspiring, and his teaching still powerful? Then there is never any real reason to doubt or fear or despair.
1) Jesus is our hope.
Point to ponder: Paul re-centers us in the opening address of his letter: Christianity is all about Christ.
Question to consider: In what ways have you perhaps been distracted from Christ, who is your hope?
2) We are the family of God.
Point to ponder: Maturing children come to see their crucial place in the health of the family.
Question to consider: Do you still think of Christianity as an individual pursuit, or as part of a family?
3) So God’s work is our goal.
Point to ponder: There is something deeply wrong if we are talking more about other things than we are about Jesus.
Question to consider: What are your normal topics of conversation at church? At home?