1 Timothy– Chapter Six XXVI

by Ed Urzi

“that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing” (1 Timothy 6:14).

It is often difficult to understand how human beings can act in ways that knowingly bring pain and sorrow to others. It can be hard to comprehend why others choose to act unethically, abuse their authority, or lie, cheat, and steal from other human beings. While there may be any number of explanations for these behaviors, there is one underlying answer that accounts for each of these choices.

You see, the people who engage in these practices (and others like them) probably do not expect to be held to account for their actions. However, that belief contradicts the counsel given to us in the passage quoted above. There are two aspects to this verse that should draw our attention in this respect. The first is blamelessness: “…fulfill all he has told you to do so that no one can find fault with you” (TLB). The second is associated with Jesus’ return: “…from now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns” (TLB).

Jesus alluded to the reality of His second advent on several occasions…

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30 NIV).

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory” (Matthew 25:31 HCSB).

“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27 KJV).

If the reality of Jesus’ return serves to influence our choices and decisions, we are more likely to act in a manner that is “…above reproach until the final coming of Christ” (Phillips). Jesus linked these concepts in some of His final recorded words…

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood” (Revelation 22:12-15).