I Timothy 4, The Great Apostasy

 

I Timothy 4 The Great Apostasy

Paul speaks out to Timothy about False teachers. They abound today just as they did on Paul’s day. They may teach that God is in nature, or that God is found within oneself. Others may teach that God wants people to be rich or that He will not judge anyone. But any teaching that is contrary to God’s Word is a lie. When people follow these teaching, they are “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”, Believers must be on guard against false teaching, and we need to check every teaching against the truth in God’s Word.

Anyone who has begun a new exercise program realizes self-control is needed, as well as the constant temptation to give up. It takes great discipline to keep striving to see results. The same is true for spiritual training. Believers need to “exercise” themselves toward “godliness”. It doesn’t happen overnight; godliness is a process of discipline and self-control, with some days being easier than others. Every day brings temptations and difficulties, and believers must discipline themselves to stay on track with God.

Believers have a great future promised by God. They train themselves toward godliness to be saved but because they are saved and want to be ready for eternity with Christ, they are willing to work hard, deny themselves certain activities, and face reproach from an unbelieving world because they trust in the living God. Their trust is in the One who died and rose again, not in philosophy, a set of rules, personal achievement, or a standard of behavior. That trust in the living God is their anchor, their hope, their certain future. When we place our trust in God, we have nothing to fear.

Timothy had experienced many changes in his young life. When he received this letter from Paul, he was already the preacher of a large church that Paul had started in Ephesus. Timothy was born of a Jewish mother and a Greek father and had received his training from his mother and Grandmother. Timothy seemed to be somewhat a leader but with Paul behind him and encouraging him, he grew into a strong leader. Many of his missions were taken in Paul’s place while Paul was in prison. As with Timothy, we grow, we develop, we mature. Some of us go through many changes before becoming Christians. Others come to the Lord at a young age and experience changes with God. Hopefully, the changes that come into our life will help us grow and mature as Timothy did. When we are open to God’s will, we never know what surprises He may have for us.

 

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Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee