Second Chances

1 Timothy 1

Mentor

Paul is writing to Timothy, his spiritual son. (verse 2) Paul was a mentor to Timothy.

Think about where you are in your spiritual journey. Some of us may be at the place where we need a mentor. Others may be at a place where we can be a mentor. Many of us could do both. Think about somebody you can help or be helped by on the journey of being a Christian disciple. Challenge yourself to be a mentor or be mentored by another.

The Purpose of Instruction

Note the threefold purpose of Paul's instruction (verse 5):

1. All believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart
2. A clear conscience
3. A genuine faith

Paul describes the three major tenants of the Christianity: love, forgiveness, and faith as essential. He urges of practice of Christianity rather than a discussion of religion. (verse 6)

A Second Chance

Paul notes failures in his past. (verse 15) Paul continues by writing that God gave him a second chance. (verse 16) Paul took God up on God's second chance and his life was never quite the same again.

• How are you doing on taking God up on the second chance God gives us?
• Write down some of your past mistakes on the left side of a sheet of blank paper.
• Write down some of the opportunities in front of you on the right side of the same sheet.
• Cut the sheet of paper in half. Throw the mistakes away. Post the opportunities where you can see them daily.

Where we see a river God sees a bridge. Take God up on God's second chance.

Do Good

Have you ever wondered why we do things we know are wrong? Verse 19 talks about clinging to our faith and keeping our conscious clear. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

• Spend some time praying to think and act in ways that will leave our conscious clear.
• Pray to accept the forgiveness our faith offers from times in the past when we have spiritually stumbled.