Be Thou an Example (1 Timothy 4:12)

November 6, 2022

Writing by inspiration to a young minister, our Lord’s apostle says, “Let no man

despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in

conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance

to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, neglect not the gift…”. The gift of

preaching or declaring the true word of God was Timothy’s and Paul wanted him

to exercise this gift while standing as an example of the believers not to the

believers. Timothy was to be one before he preached to others. His words were to

be simple, powerful, and wholesome as he imitated Paul, who followed Christ.

Proving himself first to be what he said and then encouraging others to behave

through controlled speech. Words were and are of great importance to God

because they betray attitude both toward man and the creator of man. The babies

first words should identify the authority in his life, which naturally honors his

father and his fellows. This is his ‘conversation’, his manner of life directly

connected to his words by everyone who knows and hears God, Christ, Paul, and

Timothy are filled with “grace and truth” and so charity is obvious as they live

with the way of salvation for all. Their spirit is not fault finding but healing (John

3:17) as they live and lead being patient. Paul waited 14 years before John Mark

“became useful to him in ministry”. Waiting for Christians is our lot according to

God’s timing and His fixing. Realizing that only He is the fixer requires much

faith and self-purification because we are unable to purify others – you cannot

make others and you certainly cannot unscramble eggs, but God can! Time is his

tool and faith is ours. We exhort with doctrine but truth like rain penetrates best

when it falls gently upon hard soil. Paul tells the young Timothy, (vs. 15-16)

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may

appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto doctrine; continue in them: for in

so doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee”. Saving of

self is first - then the world is fixed!

Kenneth E. Morrison