“Do Not,” and “Do’s,”

 

1 Timothy 1:18-19

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,”

What is happening in your soul as you read this charge from Paul to Timothy?  Could it be that we entered into a relationship with Christ Jesus, and did not understand that Paul’s charge included us?  Could it be that we want all of God, but we do not want to miss out on all that the world has to offer?  If this is true, we have missed totally the charge given to us by God in His inspired Word, the Bible.

If you and I will begin today to listen, to believe, and to apply the charge in 1 Timothy 5:1-6:13, we will become a light shining on a hill that others will run to.  Chapter five has both “Do Not,” and “Do’s,” let us first look at what we are charged with on the “Do Not”: “Do not rebuke an older man, but encourage him as you would a father.  Do not put a younger widow on the roll of the church, if she is under the age of sixty, and if a younger woman who is a believer has a relative that is a widow she should take care of her, so they will not be a burden to the church.  Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  Paul is very clear on the following: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, (the setting apart of someone for service, like a preacher, or deacon) nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.”

The “Do’s”: treat older women like mothers, younger women like sisters, in all purity.  Do, “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.”  The following note should be clear to all it does not say let the church or the government, it’s message is very clear; “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  Do, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (Note the following excludes Baptists who believe wine was only grape juice)  Only having a little fun with a few people, but Paul was led by the Spirit to put this in the letter, because of Timothy’s on going stomach ailments.  Do, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.”

Do honor those you work for, especially if they are a believer, in fact they should serve all the better, since those who benefit by their good service are believers.  We are charged to teach these things and urge other believers to do the same.  Paul is clear that much that is taught today is unsound doctrine; an example is; if you are a Christian you will have good health, lots of stuff, and money to keep the Televangelist living in a mansion, with a run way for his private jet.  Do not be part of anyone that teaches a doctrine other than what Christ Jesus taught.   Do teach the following: “Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.”

In verse 9 we are given this “Do Not.” “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” Paul also added this very important “Do” in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, and in verse two he charges Timothy to; “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching.”  What if to- day, you and I began to listen, to believe, and to apply the charge in Paul’s letter to Timothy, what would happen in our lives?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice