URC Daily Devotion for 3-10-2025

1 Timothy 5: 21 – 22

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, I warn you to keep these instructions without prejudice, doing nothing on the basis of partiality. Do not ordain anyone hastily, and do not participate in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

Reflection

The letter to Timothy takes up some interesting themes, including addressing issues with regard to leaders in the early Church.  Today’s verses begin with the reference to taking account of ‘the presence of Christ Jesus and the elect angels’. It’s a reminder that when we take decisions in the life of the Church, we do so not on our own, but in the sight and presence of God, praying for God’s wisdom. (However, I found myself wondering how far any of our churches or Church Meetings talk about the role of angels, and in particular ‘elect angels’.)

Being in the presence of Christ means being open to hearing God’s word without prejudice or partiality.  Opening our hearts and minds and spirits to receive God’s word is part of the life of the Church, in worship,  Bible study, and our discussions and reflections. Hearing God’s word then takes us into living in God’s way, day by day. This means being open to people who are diverse and different, embracing each one equally, and listening carefully to the various views expressed.

While these words refer primarily to the ‘elders’ in Timothy’s day, they offer an interesting challenge today to take time in thinking of setting aside people in the church who will take on leadership roles, as we help people to see first of all God’s leadership and calling, not what we personally want for ourselves or for others.

The warning ‘do not participate in the sins of others’ comes as a reminder of the need for self-examination in the eyes of God, to see whether it is God’s way of love and peace in which we are each living. Sometimes the world around us urges us to think only of ourselves rather than of others, and to favour some people more than others.

Taking time each day to reflect on our lives as seen through God’s loving eyes is helpful as we seek to live fully in God’s way.

Prayer  

Loving God and ever-present Christ,
open our eyes to the times we are tempted to go astray.
May we put prejudice and partiality behind us.
Open our lives that we may live in the purity of your way of love and peace,
may we go on discovering this way of love,
in each of our hearts and minds,
and as we come together as your people. Amen