CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” – 1 Timothy 4:6.
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:
“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” – 1 Timothy 4:6.
IN CONTEXT
1 Timothy 4:1, But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, verse 2, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, verse 3, who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. Verse 4. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; Verse 5, for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
Verse 6. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
Verse 7. But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; Verse 8, for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Verse 9. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Verse 10. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.
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Verse 11. Prescribe and teach these things. Verse 12. 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. Verse 13. Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. Verse 14. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Verse 15. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Verse 16. Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
“If I instruct the brethren in these things, I will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” – 1 Timothy 4:6.
(MY COMMENTS)
We are being instructed and cautioned that in the later times which include the days in which we now live, some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, and this will occur inside and outside the church. (It is easy to see that this has begun). The Apostle Paul calls them hypocrites and liars who have a seared conscience forbidding marriage and eating of certain foods. Paul says to stay away from people like this and ignore their stories. Particularly teachers and pastors who like to twist scriptures to stir up controversies or over things that are a matter of personal interpretation.
Instead, through the spiritual gift God has granted you through words of prophecy, you are to pay attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching, and you are to persevere in these things, for as we do this we “will save both ourselves and those who hear us”.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young.
PREVIOUS: CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION –“For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8).
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