Young People's Group

But You Have Carefully Followed (II)

by Mitchell Tan
November 02, 2017

FOLLOWING CAREFULLY PAUL’S GOOD EXAMPLE

It is always good for us to have outstanding examples to follow after. One such person to follow after is the apostle Paul. He was someone who dedicated his whole life to emulating our Lord Jesus. He became a pattern for all believers, especially his spiritual son Timothy. Timothy was able to carefully follow after Paul’s principles and practices in his life and ministry. Let’s take time to go through them for ourselves.

THE PRINCIPLE OF HAVING DOCTRINE BASED ON TRUTH

“My doctrine”
2 Timothy 3:10

1. THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “DOCTRINE”

The word “doctrine” in Greek means “teachings”. These were the Biblical teachings that Paul had taught Timothy. The source of Paul’s doctrine was from the Lord Jesus Himself (1 Timothy 6:3). He specially taught Paul and revealed truths to him from the Scriptures while he was in Arabia for three years (Galatians 1:17-18). He also ascertained and formulated doctrines from the truth of the word of God and he taught them wherever he went and wrote about them in his epistles.

2. THE DIMENSIONS OF DOCTRINES BASED ON TRUTH

A. IT IS MEANT TO BE APPLIED TO LIFE

What was outstanding of Paul was that the doctrine that he taught was “personal”. He made it part of his life and was able to apply it in all that he did. The truths from God’s word are meant to be practised in our life.

B. IT IS MEANT TO BRING ABOUT GODLINESS

Paul also wrote of how the doctrine that he taught is according to godliness (1 Timothy 6:3). The teaching and the application of doctrine is meant to be expressed in godliness.

3. THE DETERMINATION TO FOLLOW PAUL’S DOCTRINE

Timothy was able to carefully follow after Paul’s doctrine. He had a humble heart and was willing to learn. He was deeply committed to follow after Paul’s doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). He had made the teachings he had learnt a part of his life too.

STANDING AGAINST THE DANGERS OF FALSE DOCTRINE

One of the reasons why Paul sought to have sound doctrine was because of how dangerous false teachings were.

1. It is different from truth (1 Timothy 1:3).

2. It is detrimental to the Christian faith (1 Timothy 1:3).

3. It is demonic (1 Timothy 4:1).

4. It causes people to depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1).

Young people, let’s also be challenged to make doctrine and truth a part of our life so that we can stand and triumph over falsehood.

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