AN EXAMPLE TO BELIEVERS
READ 1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Though Timothy was a young man, as a pastor he held a position of spiritual leadership. Therefore, Paul admonished him to “let no man despise thy youth.” There certainly is something to be said for the seasoning of maturity. However, as a pastor, Timothy was the overseer and elder of the church.
Some apparently were challenging his pastoral authority based upon his age. Timothy was probably somewhere around 30 years old when Paul was addressing him. Jewish rabbis began their ministry at age thirty. In the mind of some therefore, Timothy was still wet behind the ears in the ministry. Rather, Paul instructed him that he be “an example of the believers.” The word translated example in this context has the idea of a ‘pattern.’ Paul thus notes six areas of example, all of which manifest godliness.
(1) The first is in word. Everything we say ought to reflect the One in whom we believe.
(2) Then Timothy was encouraged to be an example in conversation. This primarily speaks about the way we live.
(3) Thirdly he was to be a pattern in charity. The Greek word is agape. It realized by a giving of one-self for another. Though its common sense is ‘love,’ the word ‘charity’ accurately conveys its overall sense.
(4) Next, Paul directed him to be an example of the believer in spirit. The thought here essentially is of our attitudes. A pastor ought to have a proper attitude.
(5) Fifthly, Timothy was instructed to be a pattern of faith. The thought may not be so much saving faith as it is living by faith. A pastor needs to trust the Lord for every need.
(6) Lastly, Paul encouraged him to be a pattern of purity or holiness.
In each of these areas, we ought to be an example of the One in whom we believe.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Do you ever use excuses for not living your Christian life as you should? Why?
2. Why might we describe charity as love in bibbed overalls?
3. How is love best made clear?
4. Why should every believer, especially a pastor, be pure in his walk?