1 Tim 4 Not Age, but Maturity, Through Resolve

Scripture selections are taken from the Rock Church Daily Bread Reading schedule for each month. “Lena’s Journalin’” are Lena’s comments on the specific passages from her Daily Journal.

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1 Timothy 4
Warnings against False Teachers
1Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.[a]
3They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanksgiving by people who know and believe the truth. 4Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it. We may receive it gladly, with thankful hearts. 5For we know it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6If you explain this to the brothers and sisters,[b] you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed. 7Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. 8Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 9This is true, and everyone should accept it. 10We work hard and suffer much[c] in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.
11Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
14Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.

Footnotes:
1 Timothy 4:2 Greek are seared.
1 Timothy 4:6 Greek brothers.
1 Timothy 4:10 Some manuscripts read and strive.

~ Lena’s Journalin’~
This makes “Christianity” sound like a faith requiring maintenance.
True, being our faith in Jesus Christ is the very beginning of a new life, it must be maintained, as anything in life is maintained.
Faith in Jesus is not for casual thought. Though one can only think of it causally. One must know that the benefits of their true faith in Christ will come over a lifetime spent in dedication to and participation in His teachings.
We place our lives into His story and we live it out. What we learn we exemplify. What we teach we experience, or else we minimize its power. In living “Christianity” as a lifestyle, one must discipline oneself to learn, live and maintain its words, daily.
Thus the Great Co-Mission is fulfilled, as Jesus told His disciples, both those of the day of His resurrection and those also in this day, “Go into all the world, preach the gospel to everyone, making disciples of all nations baptize with water and the Holy Spirit...until I come again.”
He hasn’t come “again” yet, and so we continue this “work” of going, preaching, and making of disciples. All of that starts at home. We must become that disciple first in order to exemplify discipleship. That takes discipline.
Discipleship exemplified does not at all depend upon age, but it does depend upon maturity, decisiveness, determination, dedication and resolve.
Disciples change the world for and with God!
So, ask the question…..

Daily Meditation/Recital/Question
Ask myself daily: “What Page Am I On?”