Pay close attention to yourself and your teaching

I Timothy 4:16 (NASB)

Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

I met a mature Christian man recently—not a pastor, but a spiritual leader of his church—who told me that his life’s verse is I Timothy 4:16.  I must admit that I had no clue what I Timothy 4:16 states, but after this man recited the verse and emphasized how diligent he tries to be in being a disciplined Christian, I had to study and write about it. 

I Timothy 4:16 concludes a section of Scripture (I Timothy 4:6-16) that my NASB translation entitles “A Good Minister’s Discipline”.  You can read that Paul advises Timothy to be a good servant.  To be a good servant Timothy must nourish himself with God’s Word.  God’s Word will enable him to be disciplined for the purpose of godliness.  His godliness will enable him to teach what he is learning, and to be an example, despite his youthful age, of proper speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.   Besides teaching and exhortation what Timothy learns from the Scriptures, Paul emphasizes that how important and essential it is that Timothy serves as an example of what a Christian should say and do.  People are going to be observing him so he must show them that he is progressing in his faithful example.  Note Paul’s strong words in verse 15---take pains and be absorbed in what Paul has written to Timothy in verses 6 through 14 so that Timothy’s progress will be evident to all. 

Then, in verse 16 Paul writes very clearly that Timothy must be very careful to analyze himself constantly (“persevere”), both his behavior and his teaching, so that as a spiritual leader he continues to grow (ensure his salvation) and enables those who are following him to grow also.  The Greek word Paul uses for salvation is “sózó” that means to “be made whole”.   Theologically, salvation has three stages:

1.   Justification - Salvation of man's spirit (I Peter 3:3)

2.   Sanctification - Salvation of man's soul (I Peter 3:9)

3.   Glorification - Salvation of man's body (I Peter 3:5)

Paul may be referring to all three stages in his words to Timothy and/or emphasizing the second stage, the process of sanctification that occurs from the time a person is first saved in Christ until he/she dies.  By paying close attention to your attitudes and actions daily, you are being sanctified, you are progressing spiritually and becoming more and more like Jesus Christ and fulfilling His purpose for your life while on earth (John 17:18-19).

How often do you assess your personal life?   Especially if you are a Christian leader, how careful are you to self-evaluate your lifestyle and leadership in detecting any flaws or compromises?  Are there any of the virtues that Paul addresses in I Timothy 4 (and even through I Timothy 3) where you know that you are weak and must improve?  Are you serving as a role model of the Christian lifestyle that others are watching and wanting to emulate?  Don’t get discouraged if you know that you are not where you should be according to Paul’s exhortations to Timothy.  Likely, Timothy wasn’t there either; otherwise why would Paul write these words?  You admit your weaknesses and ask the Lord to help you improve.  You saturate your mind with His Word, let His Word take root in your daily life, you surround yourself with faithful Christians (one to whom you can be accountable), and you keep on pursuing what God is calling you to do and to be.

Paul simply is advising young Timothy to be careful with his life.  Always pursue to improve in all aspects of your life, but especially the spiritual.  Seek to be an example of Christlike character to others, but never think that you’ve “made it”.  Never think of yourself as wise since Proverbs 26:12 says that if you think you are wise, there is more hope for a fool than for you.  Rather, think of yourself humbly (Matthew 5:5) and always be like the man described in James 1:19-27.  God will bless you everyday; your life will be filled with joy and you will be the kind of role model for Christ that the world around you needs to see everyday.