Young People's Group

The Challenge to be a Good Minister of Jesus Christ (II)

by Mitchell Tan
November 25, 2016

CAREFULLY FOLLOWING THE GOOD DOCTRINE

Being a good servant of the Lord is not as straightforward as some of us may think. It is never just about offering ourselves to the service of the Lord. The real issue is whether we would be good servants of God. This was something that Paul was concerned about as he wrote to Timothy. He had warned Timothy that in latter times, some will depart from the faith. There will be a growing apostasy because of the spread of the doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). To stand against this, Paul challenged Timothy to instruct the brethren in “these things” that had been taught to him. He would also be nourished in the words of faith even by the good doctrine which he had carefully followed.

“And of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.”
1 Timothy 4:6

Timothy had gone through the process of understanding the good doctrine taught by Paul. Not only that, he had also learnt to closely follow the good doctrine. The effect of carefully following the good doctrine continues to benefit Timothy. It can be observed in his life. This was something Paul reiterated in his second epistle to Timothy. He commended Timothy on how he had carefully followed his doctrine, manner of life and purpose (2 Timothy 3:10). How do you know a person is a good minister of Jesus Christ? That person would instruct the brethren in the truths taught to him, be nourished by them and would have demonstrated that he has carefully followed the good doctrine.

REJECTING THINGS THAT ARE PROFANE

“But reject profane and old wives’ fables …”
1 Timothy 4:7

On the one hand, the good servant of God must carefully follow the good doctrine. On the other hand, he must totally reject and avoid profane and old wives fables. The word “fables” in Greek is where the English word “myths” is derived. “Old wives’ fables” is an idiom. It is a reference to anything that is untrue. Anecdotal reasoning is an example. Building thoughts based on an anecdote or two is unsound reasoning. And yet there were those who based their thoughts and beliefs on them. Timothy was meant to totally reject such erroneous stories.

FOCUSING ON EXERCISING TOWARDS GODLINESS

“… And exercise yourself towards godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8

Furthermore , Paul challenged Timothy to exercise himself to godliness. The apostle Paul had written to Timothy about how the embodiment of Christ and His demonstration of godliness is something that continues to cause us to wonder. As Timothy sought to train himself towards godliness, he should have the example of the Lord Jesus in mind. The word “exercise” in Greek has the idea of training with full effort as an athlete would in a gymnasium. He would focus on training towards godliness and would not stop until he reaches his goal. Doing physical exercises may have a little benefit. The word “little” is the same Greek word used for “little faith”. No matter how much physical exercise you do and no matter how big your muscles are, the profit amounts to very little. But training ourselves towards godliness is profitable for all things. The reason is that it benefits the abundant life that we now have and of that which is to come. It has eternal value. Young people, let’s make it our focus to exercise ourselves towards godliness.

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