Be Thou An Example

Scripture Text: 1 Tim 4:11-16 In verse 11, Paul warned Timothy that being a minister of God he must command and teach believers against ungodliness, and to promote the true doctrines of Christ. The roadmap is through prayer in which Paul had emphasized in 1 Timothy 2.  Prayer shows our total dependence on God and will lead us to God-centered actions and decisions. In verse 12, Paul urged Timothy to be an example to believers. Paul has also urged believers to follow him (1 Cor 11:1) because he has followed Christ. Paul’s life was patterned after Christ, hence he can command others to follow him.  Paul urged Timothy to be an example in the following six areas: a. Word: This refers to our speech. Though our tongue is a small member of our body, it can cause destruction if not used with wisdom or discretion. b. Conversation: This refers to our conduct.  In our daily living, we must deny self and take up our own cross to follow Christ. c. Charity: This refers to love. We love because Christ has first loved us.  As we learn to love God, we will be able to love others.  Jesus has set us an example on how to love: He loved His disciples even though they failed Him miserably. d. Spirit: This refers to our spiritual activities, i.e. fellowship, prayer and singing of hymns. We must challenge ourselves not to be indifferent to the spiritual part of our lives. e. Faith: This refers to our faithfulness, which we cannot claim for ourselves. It is to be left to others to judge if we had been faithful. True faithfulness can only be proved at the end of our lives. We are expected to be faithful consistently as God is faithful from eternity past to eternity future. f. Purity: This refers to the area of sex. Paul warned Timothy to set example in sexual purity by fleeing from youthful lust. In verses 13 and 14, Paul encouraged Timothy to press on with God’s work, not forgetting his calling and gift to build up and edify the church.  In verses 15 and 16, Paul explained that our obedience in walking close to God will be seen outwardly. We must take stock of our life against the Scriptures so that we may be accepted by God.