Thursday, October 10 - 1Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4

New International Version (NIV)

4 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.





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RESPECTING THE YOUNG
  Young love is a beautiful thing.  It is filled with passion and romance and special, memorable dates.  But, as young love matures sometimes these things fall by the wayside amid the clutter of ordinary living.
   The same can sometimes be true of faith.  A new faith is often filled with an enthusiastic desire to learn and grow.  But as time goes along, sometimes the ordinary and mundane nature of life robs a Christian of his passion.
   Young Timothy had been a good example for the believers in Ephesus.  But some, perhaps, felt he was too inexperienced to really understand life's challenges.  They may have judged his passion for ministry and his exemplary living to be just "young faith" and poured cold water on his enthusiasm. 
   May it never be among us, brothers and sisters!  May we, instead, seek to keep that passion of young faith through regular usage of God's Word, prayer, and fellowship among God's people.  And may we also encourage our younger Christians to continue seeking growth in their relationship with Christ.
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¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.