You Are the Light (Matthew 5:14-16)

Our Lord says that you are the light of the world. This almost implies that we are call attention to our good works and the good things that we do.  This would mean that Christ is commanding us to be self righteous and to engage in a piety competition.  Are we really supposed to parade around our good works?  Why would Christ warn us about the outward pious acts of the pharisees?  How does being the light of the world humble us and exalt our God? 

Exhorted from Paul’s Purpose (1 Timothy 1:12-20)

There seems to be tension between Paul and Timothy.  The root of this tension is that Timothy has most likely requested to go to Macedonia to meet with Paul, but Paul wants him to stay in Ephesus.  We can see that one reason for Paul to write this letter is for Timothy to stay in Ephesus.  Why is Paul telling Timothy to stay?  Is this just a church that Paul does not want to put in order?  Is Paul merely making Timothy do something that Paul does not want to do?  Is Paul reminding Timothy that Timothy does not have enough clout because he is merely a preacher and not an apostle?

The Good Law (1 Timothy 1:8-11)

So often we can think that the law of God is something that is old or not that helpful.  Sometimes we can be tempted to look at the regulations that the Lord lays out and think that as we follow them we will climb our way into heaven.  We are not going to get into heaven apart from Christ.  So, if our redemption is based on Christ and His merits then why do we care about the law of the Lord?