We are living in times in which
we hear different kinds of messages spoken from the pulpit. We have the
prosperity messages, the grace messages and many others that don’t take
prominence. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not
against any of these messages unless it topples over to the extremes. The point that I like to make here is that we
can speak what we want, provided there are people, place and position. But all
that we speak might not be good to the body of Christ. It can hamper its
growth. Can we do whatever we feel like in the church? The answer is big “No!”
God has given us the authority to speak things that will nurture the church,
its people and help in the advancing of Christ’s kingdom.
Today morning I was reading 1 Timothy
4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in
these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself
and for those who hear you.” (NASB) In
this particular verse we find Paul teaching timothy four things.
- Pay close attention to yourself
- Pay attention to what you teach
- Persevere in doing the two above
- Ensure the salvation of your people and yourself
I would like to expound on these four requirements that Paul expects
from timothy. Paying close attention
to our own life is what we least do. We would like to watch other’s life, write
comments about it and bicker that “no one is good!” But what Paul instructed
Timothy was “Timothy, please guard your life!” Why was Paul so particular about
it? To get a clearer picture of it bring your thoughts to the present times,
what do we see around us? We see many falling, both Lay and fire brand preacher!
Why is that so? This happens when we forget the fact that we need to rein our
lives. Exactly what Paul was asking Timothy to do! Rein your life, bridle your
thoughts, and restrain your actions! When we forget this fundamental thing in
our life, we place ourselves in great jeopardy. If you are working for company
what does your life speak? If you are a minister at church or in any ministry what
does your life speak? This day God is asking us to take responsibility of our
lives. We need to be aware that our lives are been watched and learnt from. If
we are planning to raise a godly generation, we must start doing it now with
our lives first! We must keep our lives accountable – to God and to man! I can’t
run away from my responsibility from being a godly man in this godless
generation. I need to evaluate what am I doing with my life? Where am I standing
in my life? What is the message that my life gives? I need to do a self-appraisal
of my life!
The music fades, lights turn on
and every eye and ear is drawn to this shadowy figure that comes onto the
stage. The spot light is turned towards this shadowy figure and in front of you
stands a young man with charming smile and the whole place is drowned by the applauds
of people admiring him. Here comes the preacher of our times! As ears wait anxiously,
he starts speaking, word after word. Soon an hour passes, he walks away leaving
an elated crowd. I sometime wonder where we have forgotten to speak the heart
of God rather than messages that can increase crowds or will excite the ears
and minds of people. Have we forgotten to rightly divide the word of God? To give
the word of God as it is! Why do we have to polish and embellish the message to
suit the likings of people? Did we forget that every wrong message that is
given by the preacher or teacher can end up sending people to hell? Paul instructed Timothy to take responsibility of his (Timothy’s) message. He didn’t allow
him to speak whatever he felt or came to his mind. He asked Timothy to scrutinize
the word before presenting to his congregation lest he should lead them
straight to hell. As the scripture says it is the truth that saves (John 8:32).
And as minsters of God if we do not take the responsibility to speak the right Word, we are waiting for God’s judgment
and wrath. We are not called to speak our gospel. If you are someone who is doing this or have
done this I beg of you to turn away. We won’t lose anything if we have to lose
few people in our congregation. Imagine if we have to give up our eternity with
God, that would be the greatest lose and failure in our life.
Do I say that I’m exempt from all this
because I have written this? No! I have the same responsibility as you have, to
live the right lifestyle and give the right word. I can’t live a life of sin. As
Paul instructs Timothy to persevere in
the right doctrine or teaching. I too have to persevere, with me you will
have to. We are God’s team, more than representing our church or ministry we’re
representing the kingdom of God. If we are doing anything that detrimental to
it then we’re actually misrepresenting the kingdom of God, God, His
character and everything He represents. What does persevere mean? “Whatever
happens I’m going to keep on going and I will accomplish what I desired” simply
it means “never giving up attitude.”
Even if the whole world is speaking a message contrary to the word of God, I should
stand for God. We might be beaten, mocked or disassociated; even then we have
to persevere. It's heart of God for us to stand for the truth. Persevere in leading
a life that is sinless! Today’s world invites us to galore of temptations! We are
seeing immorality on the rise; the enticing desires of the eye can become
cumbersome on our walk with God. Still. God is asking us to persevere. We have
a great reward with God if we will persevere.
Last but not the least, Paul concludes
by saying “Timothy if you do the above, you are going to ensure the salvation of
people and yourself.” As ministers of God it is also our responsibility to
ensure the salvation of people that we see on Sunday and other days. What does ensure mean? Oxford says “make
certain of obtaining or providing” if you are a pastor or teacher of
the word. It becomes your responsibility to ensure that people in your
congregation walks with God. Is it something hard to do? I believe it is not! Why? We have the spirit of God in us, who would
lead us to victory. Praise God! What a God we have! With God we do not have to
struggle to be victorious! If we walk with God daily and listen to him we are going to lead a life of victory, seeing our walk there would be people who would want to follow the truth. Be ready to
rightly divide the word of God. Be ready to walk away from sin. God is waiting
for a generation of people who can walk in the truth, are we that generation?
-Vinal Raj R
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