Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Timothy 6
Paul’s Charge to Timothy
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul concludes this letter to young Timothy, his spiritual protégé in the faith, he gives the final admonition to live a life worthy of His calling. Paul had set Timothy apart for the special calling of representing God and teaching about him. He gives Timothy 6 qualities or character traits to be reminded of, as he carries out this calling in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The six qualities of a truly spiritual leader are: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Against the false teachers who were already invading the church and didn’t possess these qualities, Paul wants Timothy to guard the treasure which had been entrusted to His care. Paul wanted Timothy to be a leader of leaders and his example would be crucial in being faithful. Paul knew there would be many of the same challenges he experienced so he urged him to persevere and endure.
What Does This Mean For Us?
While giftedness, charisma and skills are important in carrying out the ministry, there is no substitute for character. As we take hold of the eternal life we have been given in Christ, and as we model our life after Him, we will continue to grow in these characteristics by the power of His Holy Spirit, as we give him more sway over our whole lives. Paul was able to say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” Ultimately every Christian leader should strive to be able to say the same thing.
Our power is as much in how we live our lives, than our specific giftedness or personality. There have been many very gifted people, who have gone out in flames because their life and character did not match what they were teaching. We have seen this too many times.
This is why it is important for every man and women of God to spend time cultivating their own relationship with Christ in the increasing power and sway of the Holy Spirit. No one is perfect, and we won’t be perfected until Jesus returns, but it is clear in the New Testament that leaders are called to high standard of accountability for the calling they have been entrusted with. And in fact, we are all called to make disciples, so in that respect every believer needs to watch their life and doctrine closely. This is not just for full time ministers of the Gospel.
Father, as we represent you in the world, help us to lead lives worthy of the calling. Root out the parts of our lives that don’t reflect well on who you are and stunt the work of the Good News being preached to all people. Work in us your righteousness, faith, love, obedience, gentleness and joy. In Your name, Amen.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul concludes this letter to young Timothy, his spiritual protégé in the faith, he gives the final admonition to live a life worthy of His calling. Paul had set Timothy apart for the special calling of representing God and teaching about him. He gives Timothy 6 qualities or character traits to be reminded of, as he carries out this calling in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The six qualities of a truly spiritual leader are: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Against the false teachers who were already invading the church and didn’t possess these qualities, Paul wants Timothy to guard the treasure which had been entrusted to His care. Paul wanted Timothy to be a leader of leaders and his example would be crucial in being faithful. Paul knew there would be many of the same challenges he experienced so he urged him to persevere and endure.
What Does This Mean For Us?
While giftedness, charisma and skills are important in carrying out the ministry, there is no substitute for character. As we take hold of the eternal life we have been given in Christ, and as we model our life after Him, we will continue to grow in these characteristics by the power of His Holy Spirit, as we give him more sway over our whole lives. Paul was able to say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.” Ultimately every Christian leader should strive to be able to say the same thing.
Our power is as much in how we live our lives, than our specific giftedness or personality. There have been many very gifted people, who have gone out in flames because their life and character did not match what they were teaching. We have seen this too many times.
This is why it is important for every man and women of God to spend time cultivating their own relationship with Christ in the increasing power and sway of the Holy Spirit. No one is perfect, and we won’t be perfected until Jesus returns, but it is clear in the New Testament that leaders are called to high standard of accountability for the calling they have been entrusted with. And in fact, we are all called to make disciples, so in that respect every believer needs to watch their life and doctrine closely. This is not just for full time ministers of the Gospel.
Father, as we represent you in the world, help us to lead lives worthy of the calling. Root out the parts of our lives that don’t reflect well on who you are and stunt the work of the Good News being preached to all people. Work in us your righteousness, faith, love, obedience, gentleness and joy. In Your name, Amen.
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