godliness training

In 1 Timothy chapter 4 Paul writes to Timothy about instructions that should be in place for elders of the church. Those instructions for the elders don't only apply to the elders but to all believers. We can take note of these instructions and live by them.

There are a couple of verses from chapter 4 that stick out to me so I will share those verses and a little bit about each one. I hope this is a clear and concise way.

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4)

It is very important to remember that everything that God created is good. Oftentimes we forget about the beauty and goodness of God's creation. One thing we need to do is ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. That doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made. Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given you? Are you using the gifts in ways that are pleasing to you and to God?

What if tomorrow, you were only given what you thanked God for today? Would that change the thankfulness you have for the gifts that God has given you? I know for me it does. When I write out a prayer every morning before I get into the word, I make sure to write down things that I am thankful for, and things that I hope come true in my life tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Whatever it may be! It was - 8 degrees yesterday and I thanked God for it because that freezing cold temperature makes me more thankful for shelter and for heat.

Think about the gifts God has given you, are you using them in a way that is pleasing to you and God? If you have all of the talent in the world are you using that talent to glorify God or are you sitting on your butt and doing nothing about it? If you can sing, are you singing? If you can write are you writing? If you are an athlete are you bettering your craft every day or are you just coasting along because you're good enough?

Train yourselves to be godly. For Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the lift to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8) 

This verse is one of my favorite verses because of the sheer importance and significance of it. Being that I am a basketball player and have been one for a very long time, I rely a ton of physical training. If I don't work on the physical side of things, I wouldn't be any good at all. One of the gifts God has given me is a sense of hard-work. From a young age I have known how to work hard in order to achieve what I strive to achieve. For years, I relied on my physical training more than godliness training. I finally figured out two summers ago that godliness training has value for all things, both now and for eternity. When God gave me the heart and mind to transform that hard word to my walk with him, everything changed. I wish I could clearly put into words how everything changed but it's hard because the change was so great. I put to great of an emphasis on my physical health, when spiritual health is what's most important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities to serve others. Are you developing your spiritual muscles?

Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) 

This is a very encouraging verse to me as well. I am 22 so I am young still and I don't want anyone to look down on me because of that. I may be 22, but I want to set an example in the things I say, the things I do, in love, in faith, and in purity. I am not perfect. I know I say things I shouldn't and do things that I shouldn't but I am human, I am not perfect. I strive to set an example everyday. I don't do it to look good for other people, I do it as an act of obedience towards Christ. Striving to set an example to believers is an excellent way to train for godliness.

Timothy needed some encouragement, most likely there are people around you that need encouragement as well. Paul modeled six important principles to help us encourage others:

1. Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us.

2. Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards.

3. Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them.

4. Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations.

5. Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified.

6. End with encouragement. People love to be thanked for a job well done.

I want to close with this.

Nothing you can do is more loving for those around you than positioning yourself to be all that God has called you to be. To truly love people means to love God first and foremost.