EPISTLE: I Timothy 1:18-19

Reading:
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;   Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.

Commentary:
The apostle Paul here charges Timothy to be faithful in his calling as a minister of Christ, preaching His Gospel.  Likewise he was to fight a "good warfare" in every area of his ministry holding fast to the truth.  He was not to be a soldier who gave up the battle, but he was to continue the battle to the end, "holding faith, and a good conscience."  Kretzmann here writes, "Every Christian, and especially every Christian pastor, must have faith, faith in his Redeemer, faith in the doctrines of Christianity as divine truth.  He that himself entertains doubts with regard to these two points will hardly be able to teach with conviction.  At the same time a good conscience is necessary, not one growing out of self-righteousness, but one that controls the entire conduct of man in accordance with the will of God."  When we are thus put in certain positions where we struggle as to what to do, what is right, and what is wrong, we should not go in that direction where we are doubtful or uncertain.  Here consider Romans 14:23, "He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."  Yet when we choose by faith and make the best decision we can by God's Word, we must fortify ourselves by faith, trusting in God.  His grace covers all sins.