LOVE AND VAIN JANGLINGS

1Timothy 1:5-6 ISV
The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith. Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion.

Dear Believer,

The purpose of our gathering, living, preaching, giving is not to fulfil some carnal need of the flesh. Paul says in the verses above that the instructions for living are given to us from God, and the goal is love.

This love, according to this passage, can only proceed from a pure heart, a clear conscience and a sincere faith.

So if you want to know if you are doing something out of love, check those three indications: a pure heart; a clear conscience; a sincere faith.

When you aren’t doing or speaking something in love, you end up turning towards ‘fruitless discussion,’ or what the KJV calls ‘vain jangling.’

The fruitless discussions and vain janglings are arguments and debates that take so much energy and resources and yet don’t give any spiritual or even intellectual benefits.

Many Believers are being trapped into what I call ‘the cult of useless knowledge.’ They go around parading sophistic nonsense that doesn’t help anybody to grow in the faith but only generates arguments, fights and division.

You see some Believers these days walking in arrogance towards one another. Many are more committed to their denomination than to God. To them, the words and opinions of their church founder or group have become more important than the Word of God.

We can see from the focus passage of today that when we turn away from loving the brethren, the only way to go is the way of nonsense and vain jangling. There’s no reward for us when we do things in that state, even when we claim it is for God. It is all wasted effort and will not survive the ‘fire test.’ (Paul sure to read 1Corinthians 3:13-15).

The Bible shows us that anything done outside of love is simply ‘nothing’ before God.

We are called to win souls, not to win arguments. Many have won debates and lost their brothers.

Pray for the brethren. Love them. Walk in sincere love and a pure conscience. Do not humiliate people with the knowledge you think you have.

The Lord make you wise in your relationship with people in the name of Jesus.

Have a pleasant day.

Your friend,
Deon.
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For more study, read 1Corinthians chapter 13.