TO BE CONTINUED

Paul exhorts the young preacher, Timothy, to be faithful to the finish. The call of God upon his life is to be the consistent commitment he must relentlessly pursue.  Consider this text in 1 Timothy 4:12-16. 

It is a call to be AN EXEMPLARY MAN, “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,” (v. 12). Though Timothy was a young man physically, he could be a mature man spiritually. Others would see him as he modeled godly conversation, conduct, and consecration. 

It is a charge to give AN ENCOURAGING MESSAGE, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.” (v. 13-14). He was to be attentive to the Word of God. He was to read the text clearly, exhort the people compellingly, and teach sound doctrine convictionally. 

This is a call to show AN EVIDENT MOVEMENT, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all,” (v. 15). There will not be perfection until we get to glory, but there should be progression—moving forward in faith and obedience that all can see. There is concentration on the truth and consecration to the task. 

Then, this is a charge to have AN EARNEST MANNER, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (v. 16‬‬). The man of God cannot lead others unless he first leads himself. If his devotion to doctrine and duty are not followed in an earnest manner, then he is a hypocrite and disqualified from ministry. To depart from the faith is to manifest that he is not saved, and will lead the people to hell with him. God forbid!  May we demonstrate saving grace by persevering in the faith. 

True commitment to Christ and His call will be apparent in that it is “to be continued.”