1 Timothy 4:6-16

) I’ve been experiencing some failure in my life lately. It is true that God loves me whether I am successful or not. God just loves me. That is what I am consoling myself with. God commands that I remain in that love. Live it. Immerse myself in it. Perhaps that is what caused me to go wrong. At least part of my failure comes from not knowing my identity as a beloved child of God. I was trying to get love and approval from men instead of God.

What do you do when you think you are the only one who sees correctly? Am I like the guy driving the wrong way on a street thinking everyone else is going the wrong way? Everyone else thinks I am wrong. So I guess I am just not in touch with reality in this situation. I am trying to accept that the truth is not what I think it is, what my feelings scream that it is. I am trying to see it as the others do, looking at the same situation. Is there anything like faith in the this situation. I erred (I guess) when I tried to get what I thought was fair instead of relying on God’s love for me.

I have no doubt theoretically that I have blind spots. When it gets concrete it is hard to accept. I know that without God I would not be as together as I am. I’d be in much worse condition than I am now. Sometimes that seems like that is not saying much.

I see myself as greatly risking in many areas of my life. I think that is what God wants for me. Sometimes I do good. I try to do it to the glory of God. The problem is when it subtly or not so subtly becomes seeking after my own glory. That can happen when I stop remaining in God’s love for me.

Reading 1 Timothy 4:6-16 I am reminded that I have a burden to encourage people to become disciples, to identify themselves as disciples. That is what Paul is training Timothy to do. An important part of Timothy’s work is to model discipleship. Paul mentions bodily discipline (8). But spiritual disciple he calls “godliness”. Timothy is told to command and teach these things. Timothy is not to be timid but to be bold, bold yet gentle. He is to be bold in his walk, a disciple of godliness – love, faith and purity. Show yourself an example.

Timothy is always “on”. He must control his tongue at all times. He never can cease from his disciple. His whole life is to be a model of the mature man and leader.

All these things Paul is asking of Timothy are also for all of us who aspire to be mature. That is why this book is included in the canon. We cannot help but to be examples to those around us who also aspire to maturity. Paul sets Timothy lofty goals. The are for us also, for me also.