Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching...

This summer our church is going through Paul's first letter to Timothy. It is been challenging to study God's word on a daily basis and to reflect on the implications of this letter to the church in Ephesus.
This week, we are looking at chapter 4 where Paul warns Timothy of false teachers and doctrines that will lead people astray. What I find really interesting though is where Paul encourages Timothy not to be discouraged by older folks looking down on his leadership because of his age.

Paul writes, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Later Paul adds, "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching." (1 Timothy 4: 12,16) Now, the main point that Paul wants to communicate here is that Timothy needs to set the example for all Christians whereby encouraging them to follow in his footsteps no matter his age. Then Paul instructs Timothy to watch himself and the teaching that he gives the church. This is an important part of the text. Paul somehow is convinced that the way in which Timothy saves his testimony as well as the testimony of those in the church is by Timothy keeping watch or paying attention to his own spiritual state with Christ and as well as what he communicates and lives out to those around him. This truth echoes in my own life and ministry. As a leader in our church, my responsability is not just to make sure that others around me have a vibrant and deep relationship with Christ but that I too, am in the intimacy of walking in the presence of my Saviour so that I do not lead people astray in both testimony and teaching.

This has convicted me greatly and I want to encourage those of you who read this blog of a couple things.

First, do not think that just because you may be young or may not hold an official role in the leadership of your church, that somehow you cannot set the example for believers around you. Christ has called you to live for His name and this means that all that you do, you do for the sake of God's name which is the glory of Christ in the Gospel. This means that if you work a normal job by the world's standards, you are to work in that capacity as if you are working to bring about the praise of Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

Second, by saturating yourself in the word of God and by walking daily with your Savior in prayer and serving others you will help to keep others in the faith as well. People watch us whether they be in the church or outside. We are to be the light of Christ and this means that folks should see the truth of the cross in our everyday lives. By keeping ourselves in the midst of Christ we also protect the spiritual welfare of others and their relationships with Jesus.