True Love (1 Timothy 1:5)

"Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith," (1 Timothy 1:5, NKJV)

Paul states that the purpose of this divinely-inspired and directed letter (v.1) is that all believers would be filled with love. Where does love come from? Love comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.

Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

If the heart is deceitful and sick how can a brother love others with a pure heart? The only way one's heart can become pure is by being washed and cleansed through the blood of Jesus. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior by asking forgiveness of sins and placing their faith in Him, he is regenerated and becomes a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).

Because of this, it is possible for one to love with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a genuine faith. These three attributes are only possible by regeneration. Paul commands Timothy to ensure that the Ephesians (as well as church members today) are living Spirit-filled lives instead of sin-filled ones.