1st Timothy 1:9. “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,”
THE NEEDY. I look over this list and see lots of crime That people commit and think, “What a shame!” Until I come across “disobedient” and think “That’s not too bad!” Because I’ve done that a lot and forgot that I had!
Even in this list of moral decay, There are some that are mentioned that leave nothing to say That would set me apart to say, “I am different!” For every sin listed, each one needs a grace that’s sufficient.
One that is listed among the worst men can do – “Liars” condemns me and probably other people too, Who, like me try to distance ourselves from those deeds – And find we, like them, have nothing in self we can plead.
I scan the bad news and get really upset With the things people do and the light sentences they get. But if God dealt with me like I think of them – I would be helplessly lost along with the basest of men.
When some good news is given, men often respond – Some have been raised no different than scum on a pond. But when some light shines and they learn of God’s grace – Some of them hear and listen, and God saves them through faith.
“I never again want to despise the needy, O God. Keep me remembering, ‘There is none good, no not one.’ Perhaps there are ways I have overlooked in trying to reach the needy. Please preserve me from smug complacency. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Symptoms of failing and ill spiritual health are people who are too tired for the work of God, and so are not at the assembly meetings. They seem to have no energy to help out in meetings or to be involved in and preach the Gospel. Their appetite for spiritual food is fading, and in some cases, it is gone. Instead, they have a serious case of "itching ears." Finding faults and contentious behavior is a trial to those who try to help them. For some reason, those who are in failing spiritual health know what is wrong with everyone else, but don't see themselves as they really are.
In contrast, "sound (health-giving) doctrine" focuses on the words of our Lord Jesus Christ [1Tim.6:3]. In the book of Matthew alone, the fourfold message of our Lord Jesus Christ taught the principles of "The King and His kingdom" [Mat. 4:7-11:27], "The Master and His disciples" [11:28 - 16:16], "The Church and the Cross" [16:17 - 8:15], and "The Gospel and the world" [28:16-20]. We learn from Him how to be content with food and raiment; how to avoid the pitfalls of the rich and instead, be ready to give. He taught us how to lay a good foundation for life and how to use wholesome words in speaking. His teaching was clear, positive, and life-changing rather than controversial, confusing, and divisive. Health-giving doctrine has been experienced by those who give it, so they know personally what they teach, and their words have weight. Sound doctrine will on occasion reprove and rebuke as well as give exhortations in its message. Sound doctrine is free from quibbling over trivial matters and legalistic opinions that people form to promote themselves and their work. Sound doctrine unfolds the Gospel, revealing the holiness of God and who He is in Himself - "The Blessed God." Sound doctrine is a revelation of God's power, love, grace, mercy, and majesty. How different sound doctrine is from the teaching that misuses the law and the purpose of the law.