1 Timothy 5:17-25
17 Let
the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those
who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For
the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,”
and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do
not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three
witnesses. 20 As for
those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest
may stand in fear. 21 In
the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to
keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the
laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink
only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your
frequent ailments.) 24 The
sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the
sins of others appear later. 25 So
also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain
hidden.
Some people are obvious sinners, who struggle with their
sins. Other people are not so obvious sinners, but are not repentant in any way
of their sin. Some people do their good works for the world to know, others do
their good works only behind closed doors. This means you need to always preach
the Law to everyone, and raise them to new life with the Holy Gospel.
There are many shepherds who are over God’s people who have
the best of intentions, but scatter the flock. There are other shepherds who
may hold the flock together (outwardly) but have scattered them from the truth.
This is why Sins need to be rebuked. You are a sinful human being. You are dead
in your transgressions.
Review the Ten Commandments. Listen to the ways you have
failed. Think about all the people in your life you have let down. Recount the
sins you know (you don’t have to number them), but double it and ask yourself
if you are really a good person.
You are not worthy of anything. God has had mercy upon you.
God has provided for you. God loves you so much that he wants to bring you to
everlasting life. God wants to make you pure and holy. So he provides the
sacrifice for your sins. He buries you with Jesus Christ in his death and
raises you to knew life through Christ’s resurrection. You are forgiven all
those sins you know and the sins you do not know.
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