1 Timothy 4:12-16 "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Paul is one for descriptive language. I love reading his encouragements to Timothy, as the set an excellent guide for anyone attaining to leadership. I have boldened words that stick out to me as I read them today. Paul recognizes that God is no respecter of persons, and that whether young or old, Jew or Greek, male or female, we are all one in Christ. God can use any of us. Don't be despised for your youth. This is one of my daughter, Caitlin's, favorite verses.
Be an example. In speech, love, faith and purity. This is weighty. How hard is it to be an example in all of these things? What example are we setting for those around us? For students and workers, how are you setting it for your peers? They will gauge your faith on your words. For parents, what kind of example are you providing for your children? Your words will be reflected back to you in the attitudes and words of your children. Leaders, for those you lead? Pastors for those you shepherd?
But note that Paul also recognizes that we are on a journey. He does not want people to see "your perfection," but "your progress." The sure way to setting an example is by practicing your gifts - indeed, IMMERSING yourself in them. The fastest way to learn a language is not to take a one hour per day class, but to go to the country that speaks that language and live there. You will do four years of classes in six months, guaranteed. You are immersed. Are you practicing your gifts? Are you immersed in the community in which you can use them and see them progress, that others may see you progress?
Persist in this - the teaching, or your doctrine. This is a high call for ministers. Persist in your understanding so that you may rightly divide the Word and teach others sound, doctrinal principles upon which to base and live out their faith. Persist in them...I apply the idea of immersion to this, as well. Immerse yourself in your teaching, your doctrine, the truths of your faith. As we say in the Army: Be, Know and Do. Be the person your teaching instructs. Know what you teach. Do what you teach. Spirit, mind and body. Be the fullness of the instruction in the Word. "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." (James 1:22)
We know that the mouth speaks from the heart's fullness. We know that the heart is full of what the eyes and ears take in. We know that they will take in whatever we place before them. To be pure in speech, conduct, love and faith, we must be immersed in the Word and in community. There are no substitutions. There are supplementations, such as a prophetic word or a good, Bible-based book, video or sermon, but there are no substitutions.
Put it this way: It's easy to tell who the professional sportsmen are. They look like pros and they play like pros. There are those who pretend, but it's easy to tell the difference, especially when they get out on the field, in the pool or on the court with the real pros. Are you ready to play with the pros? Are you practiced, immersed, ready for the big leagues? Or are you a wanna-be? Unless you immerse yourself in the faith, you will never mature to the fullness of the image of Christ and will ever be reduced to a pew-sitting, partially filled, low-motivation, high maintenance Christian. Be the pro. Be the wheat, as we say (Matthew 13:24-30). Don't deceive yourself, but know that you know what you know. Be it. Do it.
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