1 Timothy 4 -- How To Be A Man Of God

My commentary entitles this chapter “How To Be A Man Of God.”  It points out that Paul listed three qualities that a minister must possess if he is to be successful in serving God:

“A good minister, preaching the Word” – It comes as a shock to some people that Satan uses professed Christians in the church to accomplish his work.  But Satan once used Peter to lead Jesus on the wrong path (Mat.. 16:21-23)… One of the marks of a true servant of God is his honesty and integrity.  He practices what he preaches.  This does not mean he is sinlessly perfect, but that he sincerely seeks to obey the Word of God … Whenever we affirm with our lips something that we deny with our lives (whether people know it or not), we deaden our consciences just a little more.  Jesus made it clear that it is doing God’s will in everyday life that qualifies a person for heaven … Believing and behaving always go together … It is not enough to preach the Word; a good minister must also practice it.”

“A godly minister, practicing the Word” – As an athlete must control his body and obey the rules, so a Christian  must make his body his servant and not his master … I am reminded that there are spiritual exercises that I ought to be doing – prayer, meditation, self-examination, fellowship, service, sacrifice, submission to the will of others, witnessing …”

“A growing minister, progressing in the Word” – As a godly pastor, Timothy was to grow spiritually so that the whole church could see his spiritual progress and imitate it.  No pastor can lead his people where he has not been himself… In his living, teaching, preaching, and leading, the minister must give evidence of spiritual growth … Use your spiritual gifts … when God calls a believer into a special place of ministry, He can (and often does) impart a spiritual gift for that task … It is encouraging to know that God who calls us also equips us to do His work.  We have nothing in ourselves that enables us to serve Him; the ministry must all come from God … God must work in us before He can effectively work through us.”

Wonderful reminders, Father.  Thank You for sending them my way today!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford