Context
What is it that makes a man a good minister, a good servant of God in the church of Jesus Christ? In this section, Paul instructs Timothy on what it means to be faithful, to be a good leader in the church. Today, you have to be a CEO, a motivational guru, a management expert and you need to be up on the latest corporate leadership trends. But Paul set forth a much simpler way for Timothy and others, one that had two essential characteristics.
One particularly joyful note for me is verses 1-5 of chapter 4. In this section, Paul warns about those who will depart from the faith and teach /"doctrines of demons." What are these demonic teachings? The first is the teaching of celibacy - an ascetic teaching that grew in the church and caused great problems. But the other teaching is, essentially, vegetarianism! Hey, if you want to eat the food that my food east, more power to you! But don't tell me that is what God demands of me! This passage tells me differently. It (like Genesis) tells us that God has given us all food (meat and vegetables) to be received with thanksgiving.
So, c'mon over and let's barbecue!
- 1) A "good leader" in the church should be an example (regardless of age) to other believers. We lead based on character, not on talent or charisma.
- 2) He should faithfully and carefully proclaim God's word to the people. Verses 11-14 make this clear.
One particularly joyful note for me is verses 1-5 of chapter 4. In this section, Paul warns about those who will depart from the faith and teach /"doctrines of demons." What are these demonic teachings? The first is the teaching of celibacy - an ascetic teaching that grew in the church and caused great problems. But the other teaching is, essentially, vegetarianism! Hey, if you want to eat the food that my food east, more power to you! But don't tell me that is what God demands of me! This passage tells me differently. It (like Genesis) tells us that God has given us all food (meat and vegetables) to be received with thanksgiving.
So, c'mon over and let's barbecue!
Devotional - Spiritual Daredevils
We glorify daredevils, those brave, foolish souls who do things that amaze us and leave us thinking, "That was really stupid." I was watching something on the X-Games recently - I think it was called "Big-Air." These guys built a ramp for the bikes and skateboards, but this was no ordinary ramp. It was huge. It takes a special kind of nut to hurtle down that, into the air, and do tricks!
Paul told Timothy that the man of God was not to be a spiritual daredevil, taking chances with his life or his doctrine. In 1 Timothy 4:16, he admonished him,
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.He had defined a good servant of God - a good pastor/leader/elder - by two standards. He was to be a man of character who set an example for the believers. Timothy was young, but in verse 12 Paul told him to live as an example of godly character anyway. Here, Paul warned Timothy to keep a tight, close watch on his character, "on yourself."
It is easy to get so involved in life, and even in ministry, that you become spiritually careless and allow your soul, your spiritual life, you personal character to grow holes. When a man of God develops holes in his character, they tend to grow bigger and bigger, until eventually either he comes to repentance or his life crumbles around him. A wise man of God (or woman) is careful. Daily. He engages in self-examination and inspection - not spiritual morbidity, but a healthy Spirit-led perusal of his walk in Christ
He also must keep his doctrine, his doctrine monitored carefully. A man must stay in the word and be faithfully studying and learning God's truth, refreshing his mind and heart in the ways of God. A pastor who downloads sermons or simply goes to his files for yesterday's manna will eventually run dry in his heart. .
So, we are the opposite of daredevils. They act without regard to consequences. But we, as men and women of LGod, constantly monitor ourselves. We gauge the direction of our lives. What trajectory am I on? Am I growing in Christlikeness and in the knowledge of God's word?
The enemy has lad many traps to divert and destroy the servants of the One True God in this world. We must maintain constant vigilance and care in our walk that we not fall prey to his lies, his schemes, or his machinations. Only as we walk in the word, and carefully "give thought to our ways," can we stay on the path that God has prepared for us.
Father, I thank you for your salvation and your sustaining grace. Help me to walk in dependence on you every day. May I never grow careless about my life, my character or my knowledge of your word.
Think and Pray
Are you walking carefully?
Are you keeping a close watch on your life, your walk with Christ and the development of your character?
Are you staying in the word and growing in the knowledge of God's truth?
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