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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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March 24, 2013
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Contents:
1) 1 Timothy 4:7-12 (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
1 Timothy 4:7-12
by Tom Edwards
As we continue with Paul's instruction to Timothy, the apostle next
gives the following admonition: "But have nothing to do with worldly
fables ['godless myths,' NIV] fit only for old women. On the other
hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim.
4:7).
Though in this passage the "worldly fables" might seem as only those
harmless, fictitious writings that could possibly delight others,
but would not have the edifying ability of the "oracles of God" that
the Lord's servant is to teach (1 Pet. 4:11), yet elsewhere mention
is made of certain fables that clearly can be a hindrance and
detriment to one's spiritual well-being. Notice, for instance,
how Paul begins this epistle: "As I urged you upon my departure for
Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men
not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and
endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than
furthering the administration of God which is by faith" (1 Tim.
1:3,4). Later, in his second epistle to Timothy, Paul
declares: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will
accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own
desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn
aside to myths" (2 Tim. 4:3,4). So that is the danger of myths
of this type: They clash with the truth, which, therefore,
leads to a rejection of "the power of God for salvation" (Rom. 1:16)
and offers, instead, only a powerless message that cannot lead the
adherent to eternal life. Due to this and similar dangers, an
overseer needs to be one who is "holding fast the faithful word...so
that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute
those who contradict. For there are many rebellious men, empty
talkers and deceivers...who must be silenced because they are
upsetting whole families... For this reason reprove them
severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying
attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from
the truth" (Titus 1:9-14). So here, in these latter passages,
we are seeing myths in connection with teachings that steer people
in a wrong and dangerous direction.
Rather than pursuing "worldly fables" or "myths" that lead away from
God, Peter declares, "For we did not follow cleverly devised tales
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Pet.
1:16). In this verse, "tales" is from the Greek word "muthos,"
which is translated as either "fables" or "myths" in these previous
passages.
Though there are those who view some accounts in the Bible as being
nothing more than fictitious stories -- such as concerning the
creation of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, the tower of Babel
and the diversity of languages, Noah's ark and the flood, and Jonah
in the belly of the sea creature -- yet all of these were actual
events involving real people in real places. And on a larger
scale, many would have us to believe that the creation account in
the book of Genesis is also fiction, that we should believe instead
that our immense universe brought itself into existence out of
nothing; and that man just evolved (through many life-forms) into
what he is today, which all began from a single-celled organism in a
mud pond aeons of years ago. But is it not that which reminds
us of not only a fictitious story, but also a childhood fairy tale
-- of the frog who turned into a prince?
There were various beliefs in Paul's day among the Jewish rabbis,
the heathens, and the Gnostics -- and some rather outlandish -- that
were not from God, but only from the imaginative mind of man.
When such is presented as divine truth, there is a real danger in
it. For it will only lead away from God rather than to
Him.
Paul then gives a good reason for focusing on the spiritual: "for
bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is
profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present
life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:8).
We note, first of all, that physical exercise does have some
benefits. But it is only of "little profit" because it
pertains to merely this temporary earth life, rather than that
eternal realm of glory which far surpasses it. And though
taking care of ourselves with exercise, a good diet, and enough rest
is a good thing that we should all do (if we can) -- and that which
can possibly prolong our days (to have more time to serve the Lord)
and make our earth-lives more enjoyable -- yet just being physically
healthy will not secure us a place in heaven. So the need to
be more concerned for our spiritual well-being is, by far, of the
greater importance. For our bodies are temporary, but our
souls are eternal. And if Paul has in mind the exercise
involved in training for the athletic games of his day, so as to win
a perishable garland, then that really is trivial compared to that
"imperishable" wreath (1 Cor. 9:25) or "crown of life" (Jms. 1:12;
Rev. 2:10), which figuratively expresses the attainment of heaven
itself, through a life of godliness.
So godliness is not only helpful (and essential) in obtaining
heaven, but it will also greatly help us while here on earth.
In addition, just as physical exercise can become a part of one's
active life, godliness also involves righteous activity. J.W.
Shepherd refers to godliness as "...not merely an inward holiness,
but an operative, active piety, which, springing from an intense
love for God, manifests itself in love for his creatures." And
that love is not only something that we can have during this life,
but it will also ever be in the world to come for all the
redeemed.
Notice what Paul then says in view of that world to come: "It is a
trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for
this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the
living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers"
(1 Tim. 4:9,10).
Yes, Paul saw heaven well-worth laboring and striving for.
Notice how he expresses this in Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I
have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press
on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of
by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having
laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind
and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Paul could do all of this striving because he had fixed his hope on
the living God, as we saw in 1 Timothy 4:10. And that hope
helped to sustain Paul even during the most difficult times.
For instance: "For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of
our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened
excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;
indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we
would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who
delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He
on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us" (2 Cor.
1:8-10).
In a world in which idolatry abounded, Paul refers to the Lord as
being "the living God." That is certainly a major contrast to
the lifeless heathen gods and idols. For while the idolater
worshiped idols that had mouths, but could not speak; eyes, but
could not see; ears, but could not hear; noses, but could not smell;
hands, but could not feel; and feet, but could not walk (as Psalm
115:4-7 describes), the Lord has no trouble in doing any of that --
and to even a much better and greater degree than that of any
man. So Paul set his hope on the living God, but the Psalmist
goes on to show what will become of those who make and trust in
idols: "Those who make them will become like them, everyone who
trusts in them" (Psa. 115:8).
Paul refers to the Lord as being "the Savior of all men, especially
of believers" (1 Tim. 4:10). This, of course, does not mean
that all men are saved; but there is the potential for that to be
the case because Jesus died for every sinner -- thus becoming a
Savior for all. But men must avail themselves of what the Lord
accomplished by submitting to the gospel plan of salvation. As
Peter appealed to those Jews on the day of Pentecost, when the
gospel was being proclaimed and God was adding to the church those
who were being saved (Acts 2:47), the apostle exhorted the lost to
"Save yourselves from this crooked generation" (v. 40).
As seen at the end of this bulletin, the steps that lead to
salvation include hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17; 1:16), believing
in the deity of Christ (Jn. 8:24), repenting of sins (Luke 13:5),
confessing faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38), and being
baptized in water to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). All
of this, therefore, is necessary for enabling one to benefit from
the sacrifice of Christ (Rom. 6:3,4) so that sins will be forgiven
(Acts 2:38) and to become a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor.
5:17; Gal. 3:26,27). Then there is also that need for the
Christian to "be faithful until death" (Rev. 2:10; cf. Heb.
10:36-39).
Paul then tells Timothy to "Prescribe and teach these things" (1
Tim. 4:11). This was not merely personal advice for Timothy;
but, rather, it is the gospel that he was also to teach to others as
well. And the same is true of us. We are to also
do our part in helping others learn the truth. Paul makes this
clear in his last epistle: "And the things which you have heard from
me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men,
who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2).
We view Timothy as having been a young man at the time Paul wrote
this epistle, and 1 Timothy 4:12 is one reference that indicates
that. Here, Paul states, "Let no one look down on your
youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity,
show yourself an example of those who believe." It is
encouraging to see young people standing for the truth -- especially
in a world where they are greatly outnumbered by their peers who
have no respect for God's word.
Notice what Paul specifies that Timothy is to strive to set the
right example in: 1) Speech. We must also watch
over our tongues. Solomon says of this in Proverbs 21:23: "He
who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from
troubles." And the psalmist instructs to "Keep your tongue
from evil And your lips from speaking deceit" (Psa.
34:13). This need to control our tongues is also seen in
the New Testament: "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and
yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this
man's religion is worthless" (Jms. 1:26). "For, 'THE ONE WHO
DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM
EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT'" (1 Pet. 3:10).
Slander and "abusive speech" are two of the things that Paul shows
we are to put off in Colossians 3:8; and he goes on to tell the
Colossians to "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it
were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each
person" (Col. 4:6). Paul also teaches the need for one to be
"sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the
opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us"
(Titus 2:8). And let us not forget the warning of Jesus in
Matthew 12:36,37: "And I say to you, that every careless word that
men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of
judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by
your words you shall be condemned."
Timothy is to be an example also in "conduct."
The KJV uses the word "conversation," but this pertains to much more
than merely verbal communication. Thayer defines the Greek word
("anastrophe") as "manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment."
And with the exception of deportment, these terms are all used for
translating this Greek word in different passages of the NASB.
It is also important for Timothy to demonstrate "love"
in his life, which involves many things and should be the basis for
all our obedience to God. Paul declares, "Let all that you do
be done in love" (1 Cor. 16:14). Consider also Romans 13:8-10:
"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves
his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, 'YOU SHALL NOT
COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU
SHALL NOT COVET,' and if there is any other commandment, it is
summed up in this saying, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is
the fulfillment of the law."
Some versions also include "in spirit" as next on the
list of these qualities that Timothy is to set forth the proper
example in. To have the right spirit is to have our spirit in
conformity with God's Holy Spirit. It is to do things in the
proper way, of the right disposition. It is not enough to
merely go through the correct motions, our spirit must also be into
it. And so we see that having the right spirit is also closely
connected with what Paul had said earlier of having the proper
conduct.
Timothy is to be an example also in "faith."
What does this passage indicate about faith? It implies that
faith can be demonstrated. Compare Hebrews 11:4: "By faith
Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he
obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about
his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still
speaks." Also, Hebrews 11:7: "By faith Noah, being warned by
God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the
salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and
became an heir of the righteousness which is according to
faith." And Hebrews 11:8: "By faith Abraham, when he was
called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for
an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was
going." And for one more, Hebrews 11:32-34: "And what more
shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith
conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained
promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong,
became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight." In all of
these examples, we read of individuals whose faith had prompted them
to do certain things -- to obey God!
Something else that Timothy was to be an example in is "purity."
Thayer defines the Greek word ("hagneia") as "sinlessness of
life." The only other place in the New Testament where this
particular Greek word is used is in 1 Timothy 5:2, where Paul
instructs Timothy to regard "younger women as sisters, in all
purity." Of course, we find synonymous terms elsewhere in the
Scriptures that stress the need for purity. For example:
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt.
5:8). "...Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure
in heart!" (Psa. 73:1). And Psalm 119:9-11: "...How can a
young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy
word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me
wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my
heart, That I may not sin against Thee."
According to Paul's instruction, Timothy was to show himself an
example with all these qualities. But, surely, Timothy is not
the only one who needed to be concerned with that. Rather,
each one of us as well -- in order that we might shine as the lights
the Lord wants us to be in this world. Lights that bring glory
to God and that can help others on the road to eternal salvation
(cf. Matt. 5:14-16). May we, therefore, continually strive,
out of our love for the Lord, to be that right kind of example in
our time!
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News & Notes
Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following
people, and their families, in prayer:
* Linda Blevins' recent renal ultrasound has revealed that
she has bilateral renal artery stenosis, which is probably what
caused the spike in her blood pressure a couple weeks ago. She
will also be seeing some other doctors and going through more tests.
* Let us also be remembering in prayer:
Tom Smitherman (Lee's father) who has been diagnosed with an
aggressive prostate cancer; Bill Barfield
(Linda Blevins' uncle) whose condition has declined; Pam
MacDonald who has serious back trouble; Cheryl Crews
who has chronic ailments; Shirley Young who suffers from
fibromyalgia; and Jean Calloway who has health problems.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins
(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet.
3:21).
6) Continue in the faith; for, if not, salvation can
be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
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Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go
(Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)