II Timothy 1 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson

If you believe in and teach doctrine, do you think you can also be loving? Some people hear the words doctrine, confessions, tradition and they feel rigidity, a detached aloofness, and a person who does not care about people. The kind of people that say that do not pay enough attention to the Bible. I want to show that Paul was one of the most doctrine oriented Christians ever and he loved people.
We know Paul was committed to the importance of doctrine. Look at vs. 9-10 for his doctrine of salvation; calls himself a preacher and teacher of this truth v. 11; calls the gospel something to guard, something that has been entrusted to him v 12; tells Timothy to follow the pattern of sound words v 13; and guard the good deposit entrusted to you v. 14.

So Paul is very specific about his commands: Timothy, you have received a deposit of sounds words about God. Teach those truths and use those words. Don’t go off on your own using new ideas. Be faithful to what you have been given and spread that message.

Yet, he was a loving person who was deeply loved by others. He refers to Timothy as my beloved child v. 2, or my child in 2:1; he remembers Timothy in prayer night and day v. 3; he remembers Timothy’s tears as they departed v. 4; and he longs to see Timothy so he will be filled with joy v. 4. Paul knew Timothy’s mother and grandmother, their faith, their lives and Paul could see the same genuine faith in Timothy.

Paul dearly loved Timothy and that love was reciprocated. People loved Paul. In Acts 20, when Paul told the Ephesian elders that they would not see him again, as he was leaving, “37 . . . there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” Of in the next chapter when the prophecy about Paul was that he would be handed over to the Gentiles. Here is Paul’s response, 2 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:12-13 ESV)”

Was Paul a lover of the Bible and therefore doctrine? Yes. Was Paul a lover of people? Absolutely. Beware of creating a dichotomy or division between doctrine and being a loving person. These two do not need to be reconciled because they were never at odds. Doctrine does not lead anyone to being an unloving person; pride does that.
I hope you see people not as those who get in your way but people who are in your life to love. Do you love people? The quickest way to solve that is to acquire the correct doctrine of God, salvation, and sanctification. True doctrine urges us to love others more deeply. Correct theology implores us to humble ourselves, think of others as more important than ourselves.

Are you often trying to be right or appear smarter than others? Do you want people to serve you? Do you have expectations of others? Are you often impatient with people? Do you find that others bother you? Walking on steps helps you get higher not walking on people.
If we find our hearts growing colder something is seriously wrong. Our love to God and others should be increasing. Jesus summarized the law by stating, “”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Mat 22:37-40 ESV).

One of the most convicting and theologically astute books is I John. All he says is “7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (1Jo 4:7-8). John says this in many different ways but we learn from John that love is all our calling.

Ask God to help you love your brothers and sisters in Christ in tangible ways. Ask Him to place others in your life to serve them. That is what good doctrine compels you to do.