Day 642: 1 Timothy 4- Goodness

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
 
Meditation
God wants to restore your soul with the truth of His Word and work. Satan desires to deceive Christians, leading some away from the truth to stray from the faith. Disguised as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:4) satan uses false teachers to deceive the saints. God designed leaders of the Church to teach truth, practice truth, and walk in truth so His sheep will be provided green pastures and still waters.
 
False teachers in Ephesus were leading saints to depart from the faith (1). Timothy is called to combat the false teachers with the truth of the gospel. Regulations marked the false teachers (2). Revelation marks the truth of God, specifically that God’s word defines all of God’s creation and the institution of marriage as “good” (3). All of life is good, made holy by the word of God, in prayer, through thanksgiving (4). All of life can be redeemed by Christ and redirected for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31).
 
Christian leaders are to be “trained” in the words of faith, both good doctrine and godly lives, because of our hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people (6-10). Faithful servants teach the truth of God’s revelation with both their lips and lives. Public reading of Scripture is parallel with private practice, allowing God’s revelation to rule all of life. Timothy specifically, and Christian leaders generally, must practice what we preach, “keeping a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (11-16).
 
Richly Dwelling
-Can you identify false teachers, those used by Satan who are seeking to lead people from the truth?
 
-Test yourself by the standard Paul uses with Timothy- Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving. Do you believe this OR are their regulations and religious ritual imposed on parts of life leading you away from God’s revelation? Be honest.
 
-The truth of God, His word and work, are designed to protect and provide for HIs people. Do you know the truth of God’s word, preaching publicly with your lips and practicing privately with your life? This is to ask- Is there integrity to your faith? If not, how does God’s grace empower you to close the gap?
 
Key Verse
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.