1 Timothy 4:12
Ps Paul Cheng
~5 min read
Dear Bethelites,
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Tim.4:12).
The word example can mean pattern, image or model. A dressmaker would lay the pattern on top of the material and cut the material according to the pattern. An artist would often use a model so he can reproduce it in his painting. That is what the Christian ought to do, to live his life as an example so the people can have a pattern to follow. Someone once said, “Your life speaks so loud I cannot hear what you say.” The worst thing that could ever happen to a Christian is when his life is such a bad image that no one wants to pattern after.
Timothy was young, and was therefore subjected to a certain amount of questioning. If he wanted the people to follow him, he had to be respected. The way for him not to let anyone show contempt for his youth and be despised because of his age, is to be an example of the believers. In which areas of his life should he be an example?
I. In Word
A Christian must be an example of the believers in his words. Jesus says, Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matthew 12:34), for whatever comes out of the mouth reveals what is in a person’s heart.
Ephesians 4:25, Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. A Christian’s speech is to be truthful, he should not speak any falsehood or doubletalk, telling one thing to one person and another to someone else. The testimony of a Christian will be destroyed when people compare notes about the lies he has told them.
Colossians 4:6, Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. A Christian’s speech is to be gracious, and he should not speak words of wrath or anger. He must never reach a point whereby his words are bitter, vengeful or ungracious.
Ephesians 4:29 says, Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. A Christian’s speech is to be pure and edifying. Scriptures exhort us to speak words seasoned with love and grace. To hear some words of love is a wonderful thing; our words can either be used to encourage or discourage. If you are someone who is always encouraging in your words, people will certainly be encouraged by you. No one likes a cynical, sharp-tongued person. If we have critical and judgmental thoughts concerning one another and we speak evil against one another, we can be sure that the love of God will not be manifested through our lives. We must love one another even in our speech, and we must not sin against our brethren by what we say.
II. In Conversation
The word conversation means manner of life, conduct or behaviour. A Christian must be an example of the believers in the way he lives his life. He must be a person who lives out his convictions based on godly principles; in the things he says, in the things he does and in the places he visits, they must always be God-honoring. He must conduct his lives in such a pattern that others would want to follow; it must be a good pattern and a righteous one.
1 Peter 1:1, As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of life. A Christian’s manner of life should not contradict his profession of faith. If his life does not tally with what he professed to believe, it is not only meaningless but it can be a stumbling block.
III. In Charity
The word charity can be referred to as love. Love is one of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22. A Christian must be an example of the believers in love.
In the secular world, perhaps love has been the most written about topic of all times, in poetry, in arts, in movies, etc. So many years have passed, and though love was so much spoken and written, yet people are still so unclear about the nature of true love.
The Bible has also written much about love. In 1 Corinthian 13, the Apostle Paul spent an entire chapter talking about this topic of love, and ultimately in Christianity, almost two thousand years ago, the world witnessed the ultimate love that was manifested on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus commanded His disciples, Love one another as I have loved ye.
1 John 1:18, My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Love is not something that is only fit for head knowledge, it is not something that only rests on professed lips, but it must be manifested in deed and in truth.
The Christian church is an unique place where the rich and the poor fellowship with one another, where the strong and the weak come together, where the people esteem one another better than themselves, a place where people love one another.
IV. In Spirit
A Christian must be an example of the believers in Spirit. Galatians 5:16, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Either a person walks in the Spirit or walks in the flesh. But a Christian has the indwelling of the Spirit of God, and he ought to live his life according to the Spirit’s leading and in accordance with the Word of God. A Christian who walks in the Spirit, will also manifest the fruit of the Spirit in his life, …love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
V. In Faith
A Christian must be an example of the believers in faith. The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy that he must be consistent, faithful and trustworthy in his ministry. 1 Corinthians 4:2, It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. It is a requirement, and in every ministry, the faithful and trustworthy people will serve God throughout their lives. Indeed, faithfulness is the key factor that will separate those who will succeed and those who will fail in the Lord’s ministry.
VI. In Purity
Finally, a Christian must be an example of the believers in purity. The word purity not only refers to sexual purity, but also to the intents of the heart. If one’s heart is pure, his behavior will be pure as well. Christians must maintain their moral purity.
2 Timothy 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Youthful lusts mean the deep-seated desires of the heart. It does not mean that those who are older in age do not have lustful and evil desires, but it is typical of young people.
My friends, if every one of us is to apply this biblical principle in 1 Timothy 4:12 into our lives, into the church, into the ministry, into the family, our lives will certainly touch the lives of others. Our lives will be a pattern that our children would emulate and others would want to follow.
With love in Christ
Pastor Paul
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