1 Timothy 5:5-8

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5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ~ 1 Timothy 5:5-8

Today, we come back to the Apostle Paul's instructions to Timothy regarding widows. Whereas in our last blog, he addresses children and grandchildren taking care of their widowed mother or grandmother, today we turn our attention to those who are widowed and have no-one to help them, not even children or grandchildren.

In v.5 we read, "The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help."

The Apostle uses the Greek word elpizō here which is the verb meaning, “hope in God.” This verb is written in the perfect tense, meaning, she not only is in a continual condition of being without but she is in a continual condition of presenting herself to God as her only hope. She has the attitude of cemented hope in God. She has no one to care for her and she has fixed her hope on God. God is saying here to us that we are answerable to Him to help her as she looks to God to supply her needs.

This lady's hope is in God who has specifically promised in His word to meet her every need. She understands that God will use all kind of means to supply her need. She knows that God may even use the Church to do so, but her trust is in no man, she trusts the Lord completely. And, she knows that when things get "iffy," this is just another opportunity for God to show Himself strong in her life. 

Rather than being focused on her needs being met, she is being trained by God to look for Him and see Him with her heart. The result is knowing God first-hand and as He meets her needs in very creative ways, she discovers He is the One who meets her needs and, as a result, she gets to know Him more intimately.

She is most blessed, even though she is most needy, because her trials force her to seek and rely upon God. She prays or talks to God regularly and she is learning to give her heart to Him more readily because He is trustworthy and He is truly the One who meets her needs.

In v.6 we read, "But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives." This verse literally reads, "the living for pleasure one living is dead." 

In other words, the one who gets newfound freedoms and she lives for her own ease and satisfaction and indulgence, she may be living physically but she is dead spiritually. Learning to trust God is the ultimate for her. Those who do not learn to trust in the Lord do not trust Him for His guidance. They don’t depend on God. They have no heart of devotion to Him, no love for Him, no dependence on Him, no desire to obey Him, but rather they live for pleasure. 

Now the Greek term used for pleasure here in v.6 is a very rare verb which means to plunge into wastefulness. It means to lead a life much like that of the Prodigal in Luke 15. The word includes the idea that she disregards what is right. To lead this type of life of pleasure describes one who is self-indulgent. She is not living as if she were a believer. The church is under obligation according to the Word of God to be of help to this kind of widow.

In v.7 we read, "Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame." 

The church should be a model of virtue in this area, leaving no legitimate fault to be exploited by the critics. The reputation of the church is at stake in this issue. And, the church is to be blameless in caring for widows who are widows without support and who walk with the Lord.

In v.8 we read, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 

The Apostle Paul states in v.8 negatively what he said in v.4 positively. In v.4 he said, "children take care of your parents." Here in v.8, he adds to v.4 by saying, "if you don’t take care of your parents and your family, you’re worse than an unbeliever." 

The fact that he said it in v.4 in a positive way and now says it in v.8 in a negative way leads me to believe that there were a lot of violations of this in Ephesus, and the level of Paul’s exasperation was rising and rising because so many people were violating the biblical ethic toward women in need. We should not be so engaged in ministry to others that our own family is neglected.

Now, the Apostle doesn’t mean we personally lose our salvation. How can we lose that which we never earned? What he means is we deny the biblical principle of compassionate love that is at the very heart of the Christian faith when we neglect our elderly parents and our family.

Finally, let me return to the "fixed hope of the widow." Without trials we do not get to this point. We are actually most blessed when we are going through a trial of some sort, especially if it is the means by which we are pursuing God more aggressively. C.S. Lewis said it well when he wrote, "The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation."

1 Timothy 5:3-4

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3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ~ 1 Timothy 5:3-4

The God of the Bible has always had a heart for the least and the vulnerable. Throughout the Bible we see God caring for the alien, the outcast, the poor, the fatherless, and the widowed. This is one of the many measurements of the purity of God's love. He is by nature loving and when we access His love, it begins to define us. And, it is at this point that we will reflect Him in the way we treat others.

In Psalm 68:5 we read, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling." 

It is the Father heart of God that makes Him quick to protect the widows and orphans who have lost those who once protected and provided for them. In Deuteronomy 27:19, we discover there awaits for those who abuse widows a curse from God. In Exodus 22:23 when widows cry out to God for help, God says, “I will hear your cry.” God knows and always comes to the assistance of such who are in need and cry out to Him.

In v.3 of today's text we read, "Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need."

We are most like God when we care for those who have lost their husbands due to death, desertion, abandonment, imprisonment or divorce. The fact is they are alone and in need of financial help. To give proper recognition to the widows means to honor them, to show them our respect, to show them our care, and to give to them our support.

In v.4 we read, "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."

It is the responsibility of children and grandchildren to support their widowed mother or grandmother. The family has the first responsibility to take care of widows before they’re ever put on the church’s list of responsibility. As we have pointed out before, the family is the context where true spirituality is revealed. 

Henry Scougal once wrote, "The worth of a soul is measured by the object of its love." When a child or a grandchild takes care of their widowed mother or grandmother who are needy, it pleases God when we take care of them. 

In Hebrews 11:6 we read, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” The word “faith” is the noun form of the word “believe” or “trust.” Thus, pleasing God is inextricably bound to trusting Him. Pleasing God is the result of trusting Him. There is nothing that we can “conjure up” to please Him that is not based upon who He is and what He has already done in and through His Son. 

We please God by choosing to trust Him. When our main drive becomes growing in trust, a whole new world opens to us. We get to exhale, trusting that He has made us acceptable in His Son. We can finally rest, knowing that we are fully loved and accepted. Incredibly, when trusting God becomes our primary motive, it allows us to run like we couldn’t before. This is no hamster wheel. This is a joyful race because it fuels us and fills us. And, this brings pleasure to God.

In 1 Timothy 2:3-4 we read, “3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 

The same word used for pleases in this verse is also used in our text for today. The desires of God unveil His pleasure which is to save the lost. This desire led Him to provide His Son as the ransom for all who are helpless and hopeless, and that is all of us. We are most like Him when we find great pleasure in rescuing the destitute. Of course, we rescue the destitute best when we are sharing the gospel of His Son with them because His provision not only provides for them now but also, and most importantly, for eternity. 

1 Timothy 5:1-2

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1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. ~ 1 Timothy 5:1-2

False teaching had found its way into the first century church in Ephesus. Legalism had led many astray. Selfish men and obnoxious women were wreaking havoc during times of worship. Relationships were a mess between children and their parents, servants and masters, men and women, the young and the old. Sinful lifestyles were allowed and were ruining everything. Godlessness threatened to destroy the young church in Ephesus.

Throughout this first letter written by the Apostle Paul to his young disciple, Timothy, Paul elevates the utter importance of relationships by offering godly wisdom on how they should work. If we do not have natural and loving relationships wherein respect reigns, sin will run rampant and lives will be destroyed. This is one of the many reasons God chose to live inside the believer through the Holy Spirit, to aid us in dealing with the various issues that come up in life.

In the first half of v.1 we read, "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father."

How we view others is generally the way we treat them. But, this should not be so among believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. There should be no caste system among believers because the ground is level at the foot of the cross. God is so clear in His word on how we should relate with and to one another. In fact, the first of the second group of commands in the Ten Commandments is: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 

Very few understand that God gave us the fifth command for our benefit and well-being. You see, if we were taught to respect our parents when we were young, we will not have any difficulty respecting anyone who happens to be in the position of authority in our lives. When we were young, having been trained in the culture of God, the basic approach to get life right was born and we were given the basic infrastructure in our souls to deal with the problems that come along with living. If we do not have God's infrastructure, well, life is going to be a bit more difficult.

In v.1 of today's text, there are two principles given. The first is respect for our elders and the second is accountable for a lifestyle that is not in line with God's definitions of things. The believer in Christ has the responsibility within the family of God to go to a sinning brother and lovingly confront him with his sinful lifestyle. The goal is not to show the sinning brother up, the goal is to lovingly get him back on track with God's definitions of all things. We are to confront the sin with determination and the sinner with respect. God expects the young brother in the Lord to confront the older brother as he would his father, with respect and humility.

In the latter part of v.1 we read, "Treat younger men as brothers." Further, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to view young men as though they were his brothers. Young men are not to be our rivals or enemies; they are our brothers. Our brotherly relationships should be one of openness, honesty, respect and concern for each other. When we see young men as brothers in the Lord, we will treat them as such.

The real issue is this: will we be defined by man's ways or God's ways? Within the believer in Christ a war is being waged which is not being waged inside the nonbeliever. In Galatians 5:1 we read, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." 

When you and I became believers in Christ, His presence through the Holy Spirit came into our lives. Now, we have the ability to know and walk in God's ways. We are learning that the Christian life is not about following rules, it is about this newfound relationship that we have with God, wherein we are learning His heart of goodness for us. And, this growing understanding of God will translate itself in the way we treat others.

In v.2 we read, "Treat older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." God is clear throughout the Scriptures, young women are to be protected in purity. There is nothing more as evil and wicked as a man taking advantage of a younger woman. It is hard to take advantage of a woman whom we see as our mother or as our sister. This is why the Apostle tells us that whoever deals with younger women, they are to deal with them as a sister, in purity. 

This word "purity" is only used twice in the New Testament and both times are in the book of First Timothy (4:12; 5:2). This word brings with it the sense of “sexual purity.” This is another of those areas where, if we were not trained in the thinking and ways of God when we were younger, it will show up in this area. There is a connection between being trained in the wisdom of God and avoiding sexual sin. We all share a void in our souls that the culture of this world will lead us to think that will be filled by sexual intercourse, but real intimacy is feeling without touching.

In the Song of Solomon there is an admonition given three times (2:7, 3:5, 8:4) by the soon to be bride to her female companions: it reads, "I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases." In other words, "Do not artificially stimulate romantic involvement; it will come in the context of marital commitment. In the meantime, relate to one another as brothers and sisters. That gives an opportunity to really learn who people are, without the blindness that accompanies sexual attraction.

Finally, when time began, God said it was not good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18). So He gave us relationship. The Bible shows us what our relationship to God is meant to be and how we can have that kind of relationship with Him. It shows us how we should interact and treat our fellow man. This is what makes Christianity unique. The God we worship wants a personal relationship with us! And, it is out of our relationship with God that we learn best how to relate with others.

1 Timothy 4:15-16

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15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. ~ 1 Timothy 4:15-16

Today, we come back to the Apostle Paul's notes on how to be the best leader. In v.15 he writes, "Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks." Literally it reads, “Be in your God-given tasks and be  totally absorbed in God's call on your life." There can be no success in our involvement in what God is doing in this world without total dedication to His calling on our lives.

The purpose is given in the last part of v.15, "so that everyone will see your progress." 

This word, "progress," is given commentary in Colossians 1:29 which reads, “To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” Any spiritual progress that we experience must always be attributed to the Holy Spirit for it is He who enables the believer to do the humanly impossible. And, since it is humanly impossible, God gets the credit for the success.

In v.16 we read, "Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."

The Apostle draws our attention to these two things, "Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching." Before we teach we must be taught. But, we must remain realistic for perfection is not attainable. Perfection is the standard for God will never challenge us to pursue anything less.

But, that is the beauty to all of this: only the Lord Jesus has ever accomplished perfection and He has all the answers that we all desire. This is where our authenticity is honed. As we attempt to attain perfection, we are clearly reminded that we are incapable. At this point the leader is honest with those whom He leads. It is at this point that the leader must be clear by sharing how He relied upon the Lord and when we are most reliant and dependable, the Lord is at His best. This is the message of all of the Scriptures since the Fall of Man. We can't but He can.

In the last half of v.16 we read, "Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you." The salvation that Paul is writing about here is not justification. No, it is sanctification, it is the process that we entered after we believed in the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sin.  

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are saved in order to know Christ and to help others come to know Him. It is in the process of knowing Him that we learn His way of thinking and living. The Scriptures call this sanctification. Our commitment to the truth moves us along the persevering path of sanctification and makes us a blessing to all who would hear His message through us.

Today's text does not teach salvation by works. There is no thought here or any other passage in the Bible of earning anything from God. What this passage teaches is that we who are saved by grace through faith will give evidence of God's work in our lives by persevering in our faith in Him. Paul gives assurance of our eternity in heaven through the power and grace of God to keep us in Christ faithful to the end of time.

Christlikeness is not produced by imitation but by inhabitation. The mystery is Christ in us, the hope of glory. He lives in us through the abiding Holy Spirit. No other movement claims the living presence of its founder in his followers. The role the follower of Christ plays in all of this is we give Him the freedom to live His life in, to, and through us. This is the exchanged life, He took all of our sinfulness and He is giving us all of His goodness. This is what enables the yielded believer to be the effective leader that Paul describes in this passage.

Real leaders are convinced and are convincing. They have bought in to His calling on their lives. And, in order to convince others to embrace their calling, the leader invests wholly by giving himself wholly to the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:13-14

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13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. ~ 1 Timothy 4:13-14

In our text today, the Apostle Paul continues to inform us of the techniques of an effective leader. No one can lead others to a place he has never been himself. Of course, Paul wrote these principles to Timothy, a leader in the church at Ephesus, but they are applicable to any leader in any context.

In v.13 we read, "Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church." 

The effective leader knows what he believes and where he is going. The phrase "focus on" means "devote yourself to, or "be absorbed in." Leaders are to be read by the scriptures as each one reads them. In other words, where we find discrepancies between our lives and the word of God, the word of God must win. Being defined by God enables the leader to be such. It is the word of God which gives the leader the direction he needs.

As clearly indicated here by the Apostle, the word of God must be central to our calling, not just our teaching. As Moses said in his last address to the children of Israel, the word of God must be our life. The phrase, "focus on reading the Scriptures to the church" literally should read, "focus on (the) reading (of) the Scriptures to the church." 

During every service in the early church, there was a time for the reading of the passage of Scripture for that day. Along with the reading came an explanation of the passage. To "focus on the reading" meant there would be careful exposition of the passage in a verse by verse way. 

In Romans 10:17 we read, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Central to the development of our heart's ability to hear and see God is the word of God, the spoken word of God.

The word “encouragement” in v.13 brings forth the idea that the application of the Word to the lives of the people must be in clear focus. The leader is to read the Word, explain it, and apply it. The Apostle uses the Greek word didaskalia at the end of v.13, translated "teaching them." 

Didsakalia was the term used in ancient times to describe the work a playwright teaching his chorus and actors the play. In Paul's usage of this word, it included the teachings that one had garnered from the Lord as he read and walked with the Lord through the application of His word in his life on a daily basis. The natural outflow of being taught by the Lord led to being able to show to those being taught what the application of God's Word looks like in real life.

In v.14 we read, "Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you."

Every believer in Christ has been given at least one spiritual gift. That gift is the channel by which the Holy Spirit ministers through us to others. The various spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. These gifts are divine enablements through which the Holy Spirit builds up, equips and motivates the church to do God's work on this earth. The Spirit of God gives those gifts to us as He sovereignly chooses. We do not choose our own gifts.

Timothy’s spiritual gift was the gift of teaching the Word of God. According to Acts 16, there was a prophecy given, and the Spirit of God spoke that Timothy was "set aside for the preaching and teaching of the Word." It was much like what happened in Acts 13 when the Holy Spirit said, “Separate to me, Saul and Barnabas, for the work that I have for them.”

In ministry, there will always be days that we will want to give up and throw in the towel. This is part of being the kind of servants God wants us to be. God allows and sometimes causes the difficult and discouraging times to elevate His Word in our lives to us. He does this so that when we gain His wisdom as we listen to His Word, we will discover how to navigate life best. This is a necessity for helping others in life. 

As we grow in our ability to hear His Word, we are then granted the ability to see the inner workings of situations so that we might make strategic decisions rather than simply react. We then are positioned to communicate the knowledge and wisdom God has given us to navigate through our trials. This then positions us to be authentic, causing others to follow accordingly.

As the Word of God gets a hold on us, we discover how to lead in such a way that benefits others best. This happens as we, ourselves, are led by God through the trials life with the Word of God being the primary operating tool in the hand of God. In it all, if we let Him, He will train us to be the leaders we never thought we could be.

The result is usefulness. Once we are reduced to the point of wanting nothing more than the Potter's touch, we will be in the daily process of being molded. And, as we continually come to the end of self, we are privileged to watch Him more intimately involved in our lives with the passing of time. God's involvement in our lives leads us to some form of a more permanent yieldedness. And, it is out of this context that we discover such marvelous truths like: "In my weakness He is strong." 

 

1 Timothy 4:12

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Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12 

We were all created with two basic, yet, profound needs: to be loved and to love. When we are loved we garner a certain measure of security which enables us to overcome the things we do to get the approval of others. And, of course, the source of said love is of utmost importance. The more we understand God's love for us, the more secure we will be.

When we are loving others we gain a certain measure of significance. The ability to love others without them loving us in return is the essence of freedom and authenticity.

In our text today, the Apostle reminds us that the single greatest tool of effective leadership is the power which comes through a yielded life to God. Of course, when we experience the influence of God in our lives, it is His power that comes through via the presence of the Holy Spirit residing in our spirit. 

Before the Lord Jesus went to the cross He said to His followers: “I will not leave you helpless orphans.” The Lord Jesus knew His disciples would be able to do nothing for themselves in the spiritual realm, therefore, He provided us the Holy Spirit who expresses the Lord Jesus in, to, and through the yielded believer's life. 

The Lord gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could receive the life of the Lord Jesus. And, when we yield ourselves to Him, He will enable us to recognize the purpose behind weakness, pain and suffering, which is to reveal His person and power.

In the first part of 1 Timothy 4:12 we read, "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young." None of us can ultimately determine what others think of us, yet, we do not have to let them define us. Any weakness we experience is useful to the All Powerful One for in our weakness He is strong. Our weaknesses remind us to be defined by God. This is the essence of the first part of today's text.

When Timothy joined the Apostle Paul during his second  missionary journey, he was probably in his early to mid-twenties. The Apostle Paul probably penned this first letter to Timothy about fifteen years later. So, it is very likely that Timothy was in his late thirties at the time of receiving these instructions from Paul. In those days, and in their culture, one had to be at least forty in order to be respected by those who were older. Timothy had his work cut out for him, unless he was being defined by God.

In the middle portion of 1 Timothy 4:12 we read, "but set an example for the believers." Literally, the Apostle wrote, "but a pattern be for the believers." The word used here for “example” means to have the imprint of God on one's life. 

In the Scriptures, the Lord often uses the illustration of the Potter to describe Himself and He uses the clay pot to describe us. The idea is He is the One who fashions and molds us, if we let Him. This is always His goal, to express Himself to and through the yielded believer.

When the Potter applies the pressure to the clay pot, His goal is always the expression of Himself. When the clay pot allows the Potter to do His work, even though it is uncomfortable, in the end, the Potter forms a worthy pot that will be converted over and over as others are blessed by its usefulness. 

There are two things the Apostle tells Timothy to do and both are highlighted by two similar sounding words: let, and set. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers." 

The Apostle reminds us to allow His imprint in our lives and to let it show in two specific areas: in our speech and in our lifestyle. Then the Apostle gives three qualities which ought to come through in our speech and lifestyle: love, faith, and purity. 

The first is love. The word the Apostle uses here for love is agape which is the word for commitment or willful delight in the object of one's love. Agape is sacrificial love which voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return. Agape is always shown by what it does. God’s love is displayed most clearly at the cross.

The second quality the Apostle highlights here is faith which is best translated faithfulness or trustworthiness or loyalty. Faithfulness drives home a consistent trust that others find easy to follow. And, of course, this begins with the leader giving his heart to the Lord daily. Then, by the end of the day, the leader will recognize that the imprint of God was on his life.

The third quality the Apostle highlights here is purity. The Apostle uses the Greek word hagneia to explain purity in the sexual arena. The Ephesians had a distorted view of love due to their culture which was largely defined by the goddess Diana. At the Temple of Diana, sexual immorality was an acceptable form of worship. The teachings of Diana ignored God's definition of sex, to be a physical expression of oneness with one's husband or wife. God gave sex to enhance the marriage. And, without commitment, sex takes on a totally different role in a relationship between two people.

When someone engages in sex outside of the commitment of marriage, it will not take long for them to discover that sex can be destructive. Improper sex is addictive and like all addictions, the more that you do it, outside of marriage, the less payoff there will be. Sex then becomes less powerful and therefore less pleasurable. However, sex within marriage becomes sweeter and more powerful because it is more about giving than receiving. Sex within the marriage is a powerful statement of exclusive commitment and faithfulness to the other person.

Finally, even though Timothy was a young leader, God equipped him to be a great leader. And, the way anyone becomes a great leader is by recognizing the Lord Jesus is the secret to our success as long as he is being defined by Him.

1 Timothy 4:10-11

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10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things! ~ 1 Timothy 4:10-11

This first epistle of the Apostle Paul written to Timothy is about being trained by the truth. And, when we are being trained by the truth, we are made more effective at communicating the truth to others. 

In v.10 of today's text we read, "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe."

When we are convinced of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will be single-mindedly focused on the opportunities in life to influence others in a way that they may be enabled to see the truth of the Gospel as we have. This investment comes on the heels of our authentic walk with the Lord whereby He is training us by the application of His truth as it happens to us. The best classroom wherein God teaches us is most often the most difficult. All of this underscores the most important thing in our lives: our understanding of God or our theology. It is our theology that determines our choices in life.

Once we entered into a personal relationship with the God of all Creation, we were made aware of a different realm that we were not all that aware of before. All of a sudden, we found ourselves functioning with eternity in view and from eternities perspective, everything else comes into clearer view. This results in laboring and striving to deliver the Gospel to others as clearly as we have seen it for ourselves. I have found that God has given me the life experiences that I have so that I may know Him and make Him known better.

This work is so labor intensive because the results are so serious. For everyone we know and have known and will know will spend eternity in heaven or hell based upon how each responds to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. When was the last time we contemplated what hell is like for those who are there right now? This should move us to serious action to share the Gospel with all who will hear us.

Paul writes, "because we have put our hope in the living God." Having given our hearts to the Lord, we are learning that He is giving His heart to us. And, this has serious ramifications: we are gaining a greater sense of concern for the lost. One of the common criticisms the Lord Jesus faced when He walked this earth was:  He spent too much time with sinners. If we are gaining His heart, we will be accused in like manner. Due to the fact that we know that all will one day either stand before God as Judge or Savior, we should work hard at connecting with people in such a way that we are privileged to share the gospel with them in hopes that they will receive the free gift of forgiveness through the Lord Jesus.

The word “labor” comes from a Greek verb which means to work to the point of weariness or exhaustion. The word “strive” comes from a Greek verb which means to agonize. As those who have heaven as our home, we work to the point of exhaustion and we agonize over the lost estate of those who are not in Christ because we know the eternal outcome for everyone who rejects this free gift.

We know many in this world who live as if this world is the ultimate in reality and they invest everything they have in holding onto this world. The Christian is different, "we have put our hope in the living God." We deprive ourselves of the earthly pleasures and we suffer rejection because our hope is set on eternity with the living God. We are not tied to the temporal, we are not trying to amass a fortune here so we can indulge ourselves before we leave earth. We are set on and defined by the future. Eternity! We live out of this hope that will propel us into an eternity of love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and self-control. 

It is this sure hope that the Lord Jesus has earned for us and we long for others to know it for themselves. William Faulkner once said, "You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore." To what degree are we willing to lose sight of the shore of this world? To the degree that we are convinced of the reality of heaven becomes the degree to which we will lose our grip on this world.

In v.11 we read, "Command and teach these things." The word "command" underscores the seriousness of the issue at hand. And, the word “teach” includes the idea of passing on information to another in a way that causes them to want it. In Titus 2:10, the Apostle Paul commands us to "adorn the Gospel." The Greek word used for adorn gives us our English word "cosmetic" which is to dress it up, to beautify it. We do this best by developing a trusting relationship with the lost, a relationship wherein we earn their trust. And, as we get to know them, we do well to be humble, honest, and authentic in our walk with the Lord for it is out of our sincere love for the Lord that He speaks His truth most loudly.

The greatest and most attractive of all virtues is love; it is the universal language. If people are convinced of our love for the Lord and them, they will be drawn to Him. Love should be the ultimate mark of the disciple of the Lord Jesus, who said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

1 Timothy 4:7-9

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7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ~ 1 Timothy 4:7-9

Today's topic is the continuation of what we discovered in 1 Timothy 4:1-6. In order to be most effective in serving and influencing others, we must understand that all false teaching comes from the demonic world. These demonic influences have been around since the fall of Lucifer and their tactic is always to lead us to self rather than the Savior. In addition, we must be defined by and saturated by the Word of God.

In v.7 we read, "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly." 

Since the enemy wants to lead us to self, we are to reject anything that places more emphasis on us rather than on God. These godless teachings have no basis in Scripture. While acknowledging self-denial has some value, we do best to consistently aim at that which God is doing in this world to redeem mankind and find effective ways to be a part of His work. Someone once said, "A chemist may handle and study poisons, but he does not permit them to get into his system."

These “old wive’s tales” brought with them the idea that it was best to not marry and that godliness is measured by the foods we eat. In that day, when they wanted to bring disdain on some viewpoint, they would call it an old wive’s tale. By using this description, the Apostle was saying that the false teaching was unbiblical. 

Now, spiritual effectiveness is the result of being saturated with the Word of God. Whereas the Bible will keep us from sin, sin will keep us from the Bible. We must be convinced of the value of the Word of God, even when it slams us. In addition, we must be careful not to have a welcome mat in our being for false teaching.

In 1 Timothy 1:4 Paul reminded us to not waste our time on myths and endless genealogies that only promote controversial speculations rather than advancing the truth of God. In 2 Timothy 2:16 Paul says avoid godless chatter because those who indulge in it will only become more and more ungodly. The point is whatever is not on par with God's definition of things, do not be distracted by it from the truth. Be defined by the truth.

At the end of v.7 we read, "rather, train yourself to be godly." Ministry is not how clever we are, it is about how God is defining of us. For the word "train" the Apostle uses the Greek word gumnazō. We get our English word gymnasium from it. To train ourselves is to develop the habit of saying "no" to the flesh and "yes" to the Spirit who will always work in tandem in our lives with the Word of God. He will always render a selflessness that enables others to see the secret to our spiritual success, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Now, in Ephesus, in those days, physical training was prized and was very vital. The Greeks were into physical beauty. They invested heavily in the training the body. They went to the gym in order to train their bodies every day. They had a Gold's Gym on every corner, too. So, the Apostle Paul uses this word, gumnazō, to describe how we are to invest heavily in being “godly.”

Godliness is not about good people getting better. Godliness is the accentuation of God in our lives. The emphasis must never be on the one who is experiencing the invasion of God into His life. In many ways, godliness is about us getting out of God's way and allowing Him to express Himself.

In v.8 we read, "8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

In comparison, our eternal investment is far more profitable than our temporal investment. When we get involved in spiritual gymnastics the godly results will not only be for now but for eternity. Paul is encouraging our involvement in our sanctification which is a process whereby God is changing us from the inside out to think and live according to His definitions. And the benefactors of our sanctification are those we influence to go with God.

In v.9 we read, "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance."

The Apostle Paul uses the phrase, "This is a trustworthy saying," five times in the pastoral epistles. It means it’s a truism, an axiom, a maxim. It is something patently obvious, it is axiomatic. Everybody knows that bodily exercise is only good for a little time but spiritual exercise is good forever and enduring. Godliness is increasingly going out of vogue, but everyone knows it is the answer. We must be wise to let God have His way today in our lives.

1 Timothy 4:6

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If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ~ 1 Timothy 4:6

In today's text the Apostle Paul is instructing Timothy on how to be most effective in ministry. The Greek word used in v.6 for "minister" is the word from which we get our English word “deacon.” As we considered while discussing the work of the deacon, it means servant. When we lack an attitude of service, our usefulness to the Lord's work in this world will be limited. 

This one verse illustrates the most effective way to disarm false teaching. The best way to make ineffective the false is not by correcting it, it is by affirming the truth. And, we affirm and teach the truth best by living it. 

When we are known by what we do not believe, we will be good at refuting error. But, we will find it difficult to teach authentic Christianity because we will not know the mystery of Christianity. We will know what’s wrong, but we will not know what’s right. Knowing the Lord Jesus is the secret to knowing what is right.

True ministry is the positive building up of others, not emphasizing error but making our souls a safe haven for the truth. This will result in effective ministry. It is the true nature of ministry to be positive. It is the building up or the edification of others that causes us to be most effective in our service of others. 

Now, this does not mean that we do not identify and call out error. It just means that the overwhelming approach to life is the accentuation of eternal life which is the Lord Jesus Himself. And, if we are experiencing Him everyday, it will be natural to have an effective ministry in our homes, our churches and our communities.

In v.6 the Apostle wrote, "If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters." In other words, we must teach others to be discerning. To be discerning is to think biblically. The best way for others to see us thinking biblically is for us to live biblically. This is basic to all leadership. And it’s not the idea of commanding people, it is not the idea of forcing people to buy into things. This is authentic, honest and humble walking with the Lord on a daily basis. We do this best when we are most convinced that we need Him. Sadly, most often, trials are required to convince us to walk with Him. But, on the other hand, when we go through trials and walk with Him, those around us are taught best.

In the middle of v.6 we read, "a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith." To be nourished we must have a hunger, and in many ways, our hunger is not necessarily pleasant. King David wrote, "I thirst, I hunger." And, over time, David learned that his hunger was for the Lord, as is all of our hungers.

The Lord Jesus said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

In John 6 the Lord Jesus said, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Here the Lord Jesus discloses that eternal life is a gift to be received not a promise to be earned.

The Lord comes to us through His word as the one who is bread to our souls. He offers us His life to enable us to experience eternal life. We were not meant to produce our own food. We were meant to be nourished by Him. This is part of the reason that He came to earth. He did not send someone or something else; He came Himself to give Himself. And, as a result He is all that we need. And, when we have Him, we will have all that we need to serve Him by serving others.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

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4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. ~ 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Today's text comes on the heels of Paul's warning in 1 Timothy 4:1 which reads, "in later times some will abandon the faith." The faith is simply God's definitions of all things. All things find their meaning only in their created origin or God's definition and design of all things.

Now, 1 Timothy 4:1 comes on the heels of the apostle's words in 1 Timothy 3:16 which reads, "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great." 

The Lord Jesus is the mystery from which true godliness springs. He is the believer's righteousness which becomes for the believer the compass to not only knowing God but also making Him known. And, the central focus of all false teaching is to make for themselves a form of the Lord Jesus made in their image as someone different than the description of Him in the Scriptures.

To discover true Christianity, we must ask one question: "What is being taught about the Lord Jesus? Is He the God-Man who shed His blood to redeem mankind back to Himself?" All teaching must be measured by the plumb line of the Scriptures presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This is the context within which the Apostle Paul writes today's text.

In v.4 we read, "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving."

The false teachers in Ephesus were forbidding marriage and the eating of certain foods. They had combined Jewish legalism with Eastern asceticism to make up their own religion. They loved using the word "forbidding." In keeping with Lucifer's approach to all things, false teaching always puts the spotlight on man and his accomplishments, whereas biblical Christianity will always place the spotlight on the Lord Jesus and His accomplishments.

Now, the Apostle Paul answers these teachers by going back to the doctrine of creation. He writes, "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." 

Here, the Apostle is cultivating in us the habit of gratitude. If we do not adopt the posture of seeing that everything comes to us as a gift from God, we will most likely be duped by the deceptive artistry of the evil one and miss out on the transcendent perspective born out of grace.

In James 1:17 we read, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." 

In context James is explaining how we are led from a meaningful and personal relationship with God to a life of rebellion against Him. The first step away from God comes on the loss of our recognition of His goodness.

Thanksgiving is the recognition that everything comes as a gift from the loving God of all creation. When we receive everything as a gift from Him, humility, which is so essential to the depth of any relationship, will garrison our souls into a loving interaction with our Creator. And, it is then that we are reminded that we are not the kings on the thrones of our existences. It was G.K. Chesterton who once said, "gratitude is the highest form of thought, it is happiness doubled by wonder."

False teachers always present the God of the Bible as more strict than He really is. The serpent in the Garden also did this when he said to Eve in Genesis 3:1-3, "1 Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." Satan smuggles in the idea that God is a liar, and he also gets Eve to misquote God when she said, "You shall not touch it."

In v.5 we read, "because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." When we allow the enemy to slither into our thinking that we can be on par with God, we will discover derailment before we arrive at the station of our lives. But, when we put all things through the colander of God's word and prayer, we will arrive upon the biblical definition of all things. The remedy for wayward and unbiblical thinking is recognizing that we are the created who must not deviate from being defined by God. Thus, it will be out of this posture that we will be framed up by this God who brushes up gratitude from within our redeemed souls. And, that is good!