The Apostle Paul's first letter to Timothy is an admonish and an encouragement to the young man. Timothy was beginning his ministry as a young man and there were those within the fledgling church and among the Jewish believers who were uncomfortable with the thought of a younger man holding a position of authority.
It's an issue that is still facing the church today- a question of maturity, for sure (Is this person mature enough to lead and appropriately handle authority?), but also one of calling, which I think is often overlooked and ignored by the church. If a person is called by God to do His work then who are we to question it? Rather, the church needs to equip such men and give them opportunities to lead.
This is the question before Paul as he writes this letter to Timothy. Paul's response is two-fold: Don't let anyone look down or despise you because of your youth; rather, be the example of what Godly leadership is supposed to look like for the church for the church.
And do what God has called you do, regardless of what anyone else thinks, and preach and teach the message God has given you! The first part of Paul's message to Timothy relates to how the young man should conduct himself within the church and in his own relationship with Jesus.
This is an admonishment that many of us need to consider and follow today!
Set an example for the Body of believers:
-In your speech- (in what you say and in how you say it)
-In your conduct- (in how you behave and in how you treat others)
-In love- (in both your interpersonal relationships with others and in the way you pour yourself out to show Christ's love to others)
-In faith- (in showing the evidence of your faith through how you live it out and in sharing it with others)
-In purity
Practice these things and be committed to them! Pay close attention to your life and the things that you teach!
Do not neglect the practice and use of your gifts (both spiritual and innate.)
Devote yourself to public Scripture reading, to encouraging & correcting the other believers, and to teaching God's Word!
Paul then breaks down for Timothy what it looks like to be a Man of God - "But you, man of God:"
Flee from (Turn away from, avoid at all costs) these things:
-The temptations of riches
-The love of/ craving for money
-False teachings
-Frivolous disputes & arguments
-Irreverent, empty speech
-False knowledge
-Arrogance
And instead, pursue these things:
-Godly contentment
-Righteousness
-Godliness
-Faith
-Love
-Endurance
-Gentleness
Paul continues:
Man of God, fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of (grab and don't let go) eternal life. Do what is good. Be rich in good works. Be generous & willing to share what God has given you.
Man of God, guard what has been entrusted to you! Keep your command (the post you have been placed in authority over) without fault or failure!
-Fathers, are we being men of God? Are we teaching our sons to be?
When I stand before God for an account of my life, will I be able to say that I kept my command well? That I have guarded and kept safe that which has has been entrusted to me?
The Book of Proverbs presents fathers with this image: that our children, especially sons, are arrows within our quiver. That image is a pretty complex one.
Well-crafted arrows are a valuable commodity, one that an archer must keep safe. On top of that, there is a great deal of practice and equipping that must be done in order to fire an arrow well and trust that it is going to strike its target truly.
Fathers, are we accomplishing this task? Are we guarding the arrows that we will eventually fire into the world?
Maybe even more importantly, are you equipping yourself to be able to fire those arrows well so that they will strike true?
Most importantly, are you equipping/ training/ teaching your children so that when they are released from your quiver, they will be ready for the world? That they will be able to strike true at the target that God has set before them? That they will make a positive impact on the world when that strike happens?
If not, then I pray that you will begin to practice and shape yourself for the work that God has placed before you: readying well-equipped, sharp children for the work that God had in place for them to do.
We will each be held to account for the way we ready these arrows for their journey. We will be held to account for the type of release we accomplish- will it be a misfire or will it be a well-aimed, well-guided shot that truly finds its mark?
Ready yourself, man of God!
