I charge you, to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our LORD Jesus Christ. I Timothy 6:14
Timothy, an early convert turned missionary, was in Ephesus supervising the choosing and training of church leaders when Paul wrote this letter to him. Paul directs Timothy to resist being sidetracked by trivial things and remain focused on the essentials of Truth.
There were no seminaries in the early church. Developing pastoral teams could be a challenge when theological debate took precedence over grace and faith. The lure of financial gain was a distraction in addition to the confusion between righteous behavior and empty tradition. Paul’s charge was a faith the guides godliness, love, endurance and gentleness, thus completing righteousness without spot or blame.
Life is to be lived in the knowledge that Christ will return someday. At that moment the only thing that will matter is your faith, evidenced in the things you did.
Love,
Gretchen