Exercise Yourself Toward Godliness – Part 1
I have asked myself throughout these lessons, am I doing a good job with this series? If I am then you should have connected some dots here concerning what Paul is trying to teach Timothy and by extension to all of us in the body of Christ. The main point Paul wants Timothy to know is what it looks like to be a good servant of God. Throughout this chapter Paul has taught Timothy critical foundational truths concerning the faith.
Consider verse 6 where Paul says, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” (1 Tim. 4:6-7).
Exercise Yourself – Timothy, don’t waste time with pointlessness rather train yourself in godliness. That requires exercising our minds – in the word of God. Notice the pattern: V.6 Paul says, “Instruct”, then v.7 “Reject and exercise”. Teach them, reject their foolish talk, and make yourself strong in the word of God. Most certainly needed in our time as well. There are so many who teach false things, wasting so much time in pursuit of endless speculations. Let’s consider some…