1 Timothy 4:6-16

I have been away for pretty much the whole week for TC and I am catching up on my devotion on 1 Timothy.  For this devotion, I would like to meditate on 1 Timothy 4:6-16.  1 Timothy 4:12 is a favourite verse for many young people. "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith
and in purity."

This letter written by Paul to Timothy is called a pastoral letter.  Paul being an older and wise mentor was training Timothy, who was younger, but yet passionate for Jesus Christ.  I pray that as we meditate on God's Words, we are encouraged to serve one another faithfully for God's glory.


 6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of
Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that
you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;
rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For 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.  9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
10(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.  11Command
and teach these things. 12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith
and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,
to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you
through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone
may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in
them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Meditation:
1. People work out to develop themselves physically.  Christians are to “work
out” to develop spiritually.  A weight lifter develops his skill by lifting weights.
A Christian develops his ability to live a godly life by making godly choices.
To grow spiritually, I need to concentrate on those acts which show my love
for God and for others.
2. On a scale of one to ten – one being spiritual flabbiness and ten being
spiritually fit – how would I rate my spiritual fitness?  Why?  How well am I
“teaching believers with my life” in these five areas: “by word, by demeanor,
by love, by faith, by integrity”?  How could I make my life a better example
for others in these areas?
3. Write these five words on an index card: word, demeanor, love, faith, and
integrity.  Ask God to help me live out these areas throughout the day.