Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 4:15-16 Take pains with
these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to
all. 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.
Application: Paul
continues his encouragement to Timothy to live a life that honors You Lord. He
makes it crystal clear that this cannot happen through a "lazy"
approach to life. The phrase “Pay close attention” employed in the
Greek communicates pointedly to this truth through the use of the compound
phrase:
ἐπέχω epéchō;
from epí – upon, and échō - to have, hold. In the NT,
used of the mind, to fix the mind upon, give heed to, pay attention. [1]
Fixing our mind on
something requires a disciplined life. We cannot walk through life in a
semiconscious state, not filtering out what does not belong in our life.
Whether that be images, fads, words or teachings. We
need to realize that our minds are boraged with images and information at such
a rate today, that Paul could not have dreamed of. Therefore his admonition is
that much MORE important to us. Due to the volume and speed of information we
receive, we must "fix" our
mind on those things that lead to godliness. Without a focus point we will fall
and succumb to the nature of the world and our own sin nature. It is also very
important to understand the order and in what context this passage is
communicating
The
exhortation is, “keep on paying attention to yourself and to your teaching.”
Vincent says: “The order is significant. Personality goes before teaching.” Timothy,
Paul says, will save himself and those under his spiritual care by giving
diligent attention to the public reading of the Word in the local assembly, by
exhortation based upon the Word which has been read, and by an explanation of
that Word. The salvation spoken of here cannot be the salvation of the sinner
nor the preservation of the saint in salvation, for the reason that both of
these are a work of God for man. The Salvation referred to here is understood
by a study of the context (vv. 1–3), namely, being saved from the teachings of
demon-influenced men. That is, by the reading of the Word, by exhortation from
it, and by a clear explanation of its meaning, Timothy and his hearers will be
saved from becoming entangled in these heresies.[2]
How true it is that
we guard our character, first and foremost! Having our doctrine in order is
useless if we ourselves are not in communion with You Father. At the same time
we must understand how what we believe directly impacts our relationship with
You. So this is not an "either/or" issue, but instead it is a
compound principle! We must fix our minds to guarding our character AND our doctrine! How do we do that?
Paul states the obvious - persevere! Being mediocre, indifferent or just plain
lazy will not do it; we must remain intense in this issue. Knowing that by Your
grace we can experience Your peace and joy in our life as we continue to remain
close to You, Lord.
Meditation Questions: When
looking at your time management, how much time do you take reflecting on who
you are versus time you take gaining knowledge? How intentional are you in the
way you live? Would you say most things that happen in your life are planned or
stumbled into? Do you set goals? Why? Why not? What do you hope your life will
be like in 2013? What steps are you taking to get yourself there?
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