1 Timothy 4

Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 4

Do our friends, colleagues, neighbours or the people around us see us as model followers of Christ? Or do they view us as Christians by name but no different from people of the world?

While Timothy was commanded to lead by example, we were to follow his example and become examples ourselves.

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Tim 4:12)

These are familiar words from the bible to exhort Timothy to live a godly life so that no one could despise his youth. Similarly, we ought to live our lives for Jesus so that we can be pleasing to Him.

Here are some of my thoughts on this verse.

In Speech:

Matthew 12:34 states, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Unlike Gordon Ramsay in “Hell’s Kitchen”, we do not pepper our sentences with bad words and spew vulgarities frequently. Neither do we send a barrage of insults and obscenities to people who upset us. Despite these, do our speech reflect who we should be?

A few years ago, I said something mean about a colleague who I disliked immensely and another colleague commented, “How could you say such a thing? Aren’t you a Christian?”. I was ashamed and mortified as I brought disgrace to the name of the Lord. 

Up till today this incident left a deep impression on me as God must have felt disappointed. Is God pleased with the words we say?

How about the topics we talk about? Do we only talk about earthly things?

Even in our prayers we need to deeply consider what we say to the Lord and time take to organise and improve on how we present our requests to him. When we ask things according to God’s will, He will be pleased and will answer us positively.

In Conduct:

Similarly, from our actions or lifestyles, can people tell we are believers?

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Our lives must produce the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the shining example that is Jesus. While we are weak in the flesh, we can pray to ask God to strengthen our resistance against worldly influence so that we can adhere to His way of life. We cannot have a light that shines and at the same time give in to world desires (1 John 2:16-17).

In Faith

This may seem very obvious, but faith is essential in a believer’s life. Our faith needs to be in God for our salvation and also in different things in life. Some days ago, something tragic happened which troubled me for a while now as I began to question whether my faith could be sustained if I were in that situation. Sure, we have faith in God as we live everyday without bad things happening. We continue to serve God in various church works, attend church services regularly, and so on. But when an unfortunate event occurs, will that shake our faith? Does our level of faith depend on people around us, or situations that take place? May God strengthen our trust in Him, that we will rely on Him to shoulder our burdens and not lose sight of Him.

In Purity

After receiving the grace of salvation through baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit, do we still consciously give way to our fleshly desires? Although we are children of God, we are also susceptible to temptations and desires of the flesh. God has all the strength, while we have none to fight spiritual battles. We must pray and rely on God to help us be pure and holy in His sight.

In conclusion, do people view us as good Christians? Will the Lord be pleased with the way we live our lives?

May God guide us to keep on striving to be good examples to one another and be pleasing in His sight.