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1 Timothy 4:12
In 1 Timothy 4:12 the Apostle Paul gives sound advice to Timothy for being a leader in the Church, along with a warning of the trials and tests that will come. He exhorts Timothy to stand tall in Christ Jesus while being a humble example to the congregation as he states, “12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12, NKJV).
This is a command to let our lives in Christ Jesus be our example to others.
The advice Paul gives to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 is advice for every believer in Christ Jesus as we all will be tested and tried by others as to our faith and reliance on Jesus. Paul supports this in Titus 2:6–8 as he declares, “Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.”
This list of the way a leader of the Church should conduct themselves may seem like a difficult list to follow for most of us as it is directed at the leaders of the Church, but in reality is a list for us all to strive for as we all are representatives of Jesus to those around us each day. We must also remember that it is not us that can accomplish this way of life, but Christ Jesus who works through us as His Holy Spirit lives within us as our guide. We must not trust in ourselves to accomplish God’s will for our lives but in Christ alone we find strength.
Dear LORD,
We all want and desire to live lives with these goals Paul has instructed for Timothy in being a leader in the Church as we all are Your representatives in the world today for Jesus. Please give us the strength and encouragement through our salvation in Christ Jesus and Your Holy Spirit working within us to be the people You would have us to be in leading others to You through our example – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.