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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Our Goal Is To Be Saved, #4
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (I Timothy 4:11-16—NIV)
"Command and teach these things." If we do not obey the commands given by the Lord Jesus and His Apostles we are not going to reach the goal; we are not going to win the prize; we are not going to be saved.
Forget what is commonly being taught today about Divine grace being an eternal amnesty. Such teaching is error, being based on several verses, such as Romans 10:9,10, taken out of the context of the epistle in which they are contained.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." "Command and teach these things." As part of being saved we are to set an example for the other believers, in speech, life, love, faith, and purity. These are not just nice things we might consider doing, they are the means by which we save ourselves.
"Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." We might apply this exhortation to ourselves. We are to present our body a living sacrifice to God that we might prove His will for our life. Having found His will we are to pursue it day and night if we intend to be saved.
All that the Apostle Paul commanded Timothy can be performed by any believer who is willing to pray, study the Scriptures, and otherwise live as a true disciple of the Lord. The commandments found in the New Testament are possible to obey as we lay hold on the grace of God in Christ.
"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." Many of us may not have opportunity to be prophesied over by an anointed ministry. But we can find out our role in the Body of Christ by seeking the Lord diligently. Then we are not to neglect our gift but to use it diligently. If we choose to bury our talent we will not be saved, our talent will be removed from us and we will be sent to the outer darkness. This is what Jesus said.
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so everyone may see your progress." There are so many distractions in America, and so much opportunity to sin, that only the most dedicated believers will be diligent in the things of the Kingdom. These are the ones who will gain the prize of salvation. The other believers are facing punishment in the Day of the Lord.
To be continued.