BY: Pastor Bob Miller
CHAPTER READ: 1 Timothy 4
SCRIPTURE SELECTED: 1 Timothy 4:15-16
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.
OBSERVATION: Paul is giving instruction to Timothy on how to instruct his congregation on how to live a godly life. He then says that he is to practice what he teaches for he needs to be diligent in these things, giving himself fully to them. He is an example for others to follow. Not that he is already perfect, but that they see him making progress in his growth. He is to watch and pay attention to his life and doctrine closely, for not only does he affect his life, but also the lives of those who hear him. Paul says he is persevering and not giving up, for salvation comes to those who remain faithful.
APPLICATION: This matter of living a godly life is to be a priority of mine. It is essential and it requires diligence and a purposeful inspection of my life as to how I live and what I believe and teach others. Others are watching closely and they will follow the example I set. What they need to see is that I am progressing and growing and being made complete and so I do not give up, but persevere and let God complete the salvation He began in me.
PRAYER: Lord, please continue to use me and work within my heart. Protect me from false doctrine and help me to keep growing in my faith. May I remain diligent in living a Christlike life. May this be a top priority in my life to which I am wholeheartedly committed. Amen!