If you want to help others, help yourself first:
“Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, you will both save yourself and them that hear you” (1 Tim 4:16).
The Lord gives us godliness, and thereby, we receive the life that now is - love, joy, and peace - and we receive heaven sure to come. Continue in these things, abide in this truth, and fight every foe by the gospel. God is your Savior, and He’s worth believing in a world filled with sin - “For bodily exercise profits for a little time: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (vs8).
We are commanded, exhorted, and taught to be godly. It isn’t an option, like I can have Christ and not worry about my behavior. Godliness is the believer’s EVIDENCE that his faith is real, that he sacrifices for Christ and endures unto the end. Godliness will be rewarded, and we’re to command and teach people how to do it by faith in Christ - “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, for therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially [specifically] of those that believe. ” (vs9-10).
It isn’t enough to say “do”, we must point them to Christ and faith. It isn’t enough to say “believe”, but we unfold the risen Christ as successful in accomplishing everything needful to save the sheep. He laid down His life for us, and He gives us EVERYTHING necessary freely. Keep on believing this truth unto obedience, and you’re safe and blessed - “These things command and teach” (vs11).
We are not to be babyish in our thinking, as if being babes in Christ is an excuse to indifference or sin: everyone is to be an example of godliness to others. Paul says, “Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers in word”, what you say, “in conduct”, how you behave, “in love“, how your respond to people, “in spirit”, in your attitude amidst difficulty and loss, “in faith”, in believing great and precious promises, “in purity”, in holiness before men and in your heart (vs12).
Be these things without fail. He says, “Till I come, give ATTENDANCE to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine”, so that salvation makes us diligent rather than slothful (vs13). We don’t say, “I’m saved” and shift to neutral, but we keep the peddle to the floor, believing unto a flaming life.
Don’t neglect God’s gifts to you. You heard the gospel, believed, and by faith in the gospel preached, you received gifts that are noticeable. - “Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy [preaching], with the laying on of the hands [approval] of the elders. Meditate upon these things; give yourself completely to them; that your profiting may appear in all things” (vs14-15). Don’t sit around and waste your gifts, and don’t count on someone else to serve. Use what you have, wholeheartedly, for Christ’s cause, and get the most out of safe and holy living.
We are to be zealous, hot, diligent, and utterly concerned with our conduct. We can’t teach others what we have not learned, and before I can heal my neighbor, I need my own spirit put in peace. I can’t preach my way to heaven, but I must LIVE my gospel, too. And, I can’t preach “any old thing” and expect to make it. The New Living Translation says, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you“ (vs16).
Examine yourself diligently, carefully, and consistently, repenting, confessing, and obtaining mercy to do it right. Take heed to what you say and how you live, and you’ll save yourself and those that hear you.
There is no other way.
“Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this, you will both save yourself and them that hear you” (1 Tim 4:16).
The Lord gives us godliness, and thereby, we receive the life that now is - love, joy, and peace - and we receive heaven sure to come. Continue in these things, abide in this truth, and fight every foe by the gospel. God is your Savior, and He’s worth believing in a world filled with sin - “For bodily exercise profits for a little time: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (vs8).
We are commanded, exhorted, and taught to be godly. It isn’t an option, like I can have Christ and not worry about my behavior. Godliness is the believer’s EVIDENCE that his faith is real, that he sacrifices for Christ and endures unto the end. Godliness will be rewarded, and we’re to command and teach people how to do it by faith in Christ - “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, for therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially [specifically] of those that believe. ” (vs9-10).
It isn’t enough to say “do”, we must point them to Christ and faith. It isn’t enough to say “believe”, but we unfold the risen Christ as successful in accomplishing everything needful to save the sheep. He laid down His life for us, and He gives us EVERYTHING necessary freely. Keep on believing this truth unto obedience, and you’re safe and blessed - “These things command and teach” (vs11).
We are not to be babyish in our thinking, as if being babes in Christ is an excuse to indifference or sin: everyone is to be an example of godliness to others. Paul says, “Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers in word”, what you say, “in conduct”, how you behave, “in love“, how your respond to people, “in spirit”, in your attitude amidst difficulty and loss, “in faith”, in believing great and precious promises, “in purity”, in holiness before men and in your heart (vs12).
Be these things without fail. He says, “Till I come, give ATTENDANCE to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine”, so that salvation makes us diligent rather than slothful (vs13). We don’t say, “I’m saved” and shift to neutral, but we keep the peddle to the floor, believing unto a flaming life.
Don’t neglect God’s gifts to you. You heard the gospel, believed, and by faith in the gospel preached, you received gifts that are noticeable. - “Neglect not the gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy [preaching], with the laying on of the hands [approval] of the elders. Meditate upon these things; give yourself completely to them; that your profiting may appear in all things” (vs14-15). Don’t sit around and waste your gifts, and don’t count on someone else to serve. Use what you have, wholeheartedly, for Christ’s cause, and get the most out of safe and holy living.
We are to be zealous, hot, diligent, and utterly concerned with our conduct. We can’t teach others what we have not learned, and before I can heal my neighbor, I need my own spirit put in peace. I can’t preach my way to heaven, but I must LIVE my gospel, too. And, I can’t preach “any old thing” and expect to make it. The New Living Translation says, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you“ (vs16).
Examine yourself diligently, carefully, and consistently, repenting, confessing, and obtaining mercy to do it right. Take heed to what you say and how you live, and you’ll save yourself and those that hear you.
There is no other way.
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