THE PASSION OF GRACE
“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.” — 1 Tim. 4:12
The fact that we shall not attain to that ideal “godliness,” discussed in last week’s meditation, until we get to glory must not discourage us from aspiring to it and striving for it. The Holy Spirit’s counsel to Timothy is “exercise thyself…unto godliness.” That is ever the goal of the sincere Christian. (See v.7-8)
Timothy, of course, is being instructed with specific reference to his ministry, but the principle applies to every believer, for we are all called to ‘minister Christ‘ to those around us. And of particular note here is that age is no exception. One does not have to be old to be wise, nor ancient to make progress in likeness to Christ. In fact scripture indicates to every believer whatever his age, sex, status or role in the body of Christ, that the divine objective for us is “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (See Rom.8:29) The process begins with the new birth and will not be completed until until “He appears,” but the aspiring believer will be mightily aided by the Holy Spirit in the endeavor. Leadership brings added responsibility, hence the emphasis to Timothy, “be thou an example,” but, as we have implied above, everyone has a ministry role to someone. The husband is responsible to represent Christ to his wife; parents to their children; children to their siblings; redeemed children to unsaved parents; the workman to his employer and vice versa; and all of us to our neighbors.
There follows, then, some areas of particular significance.
“In word.” Scripture has much to say about the believer’s responsibility with respect to his tongue. We are admonished about profanity, vulgarity and “foolish talking,” as well as the disposition of our words. James, as you are doubtless aware, speaks incisively on the subject in the third chapter of his epistle remarking, “Out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be [Jas. 3:10].” Does our speech reflect the character of Christ?
“In conversation.” We might render the word “conversation” as “lifestyle.” In the old days schoolchildren were graded on “deportment.” or their general behavior. God still does grade that way, concerned for our appearance and conduct before the world, saved and unsaved alike. When Pontius Pilate looked for a reason to send the Son of God to the cross, he was obliged to say, “I find no fault in him.” That should be true of us when others look for something to fault us for. And the Spirit of God through the apostle Peter counsels us, “[Have] your conversation honest among the gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation [I Pet. 2:12].”
“In charity.” We need only to reflect again on the Savior’s declaration, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.” That selfless love that is the love of God is the ‘badge of discipleship’ for believers and should distinguish us from the selfish love of the world. So important is this virtue that we have a whole chapter devoted to describing it in the first epistle to the Corinthians.
“In spirit.” This is the spirit of the believer under the control of the Holy Spirit. There is no better explanation of this than the list of “the fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians: “Love,” which here has already been referred to, “joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” which will be singled out next in our nugget, “meekness, temperance (self control),” These together characterize “the spirit of Christ,” and are to be evident in our lives if we are to exemplify Him.
“In faith.” Perhaps two qualities are discernible here: Faith in God sustaining us in every circumstance in life, and fiaithfulness to God in our daily walk, whatever the challenges that confront us.
“In purity.” This, of course, refers to moral purity, keeping one’s self morally clean. One writer renders the word, “chastity.” The apostle will lay this charge on Timothy again in ch. 5:22, “keep thyself pure.” In a decaying culture, where moral values are like shifting sands in a desert windstorm, the believer needs to keep God’s standards ever before him, knowing that God’s value system does not change.
These qualities are not reserved for Christian “professionals,” nor a class of super saints, but are together the aim of the Holy Spirit in the life of every born again believer in Jesus Christ. “Be thou an example” is the exhortation; “Oh to be like Thee” should be our consuming ambition.
For His glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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