If I were Timothy #7: everything is spiritual
Who Was Timothy?
Timothy is a Greek name which means ‘honouring God’ or ‘honoured by God’.
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. Acts 16:1
After Paul had visited Lystra, Timothy became his companion and co-worker along with Silas. Timothy then travelled around with Paul, who became his mentor. Paul trusted him to carry out important work.
But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. Philippians 2:22
If I were Timothy, I would be blown away to receive this letter from Paul. After all, I’d been at his side as he’d written the letters to Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. But these letters were addressed to groups of believers and not an individual like myself. I’d be even more amazed to discover that two letters addressed to me would end up in this collection of books people would come to know as the Bible!
Yes, Paul and I were close. He was like a father to me. But I didn’t do anything anyone else wouldn’t do. I served God in the best way I could. That’s it. It wasn’t easy at times, but I looked to Paul for guidance and support – and what a man Paul is!
Passage From The Letter
Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16
If I were Timothy, this is how I would reply to this section of the the letter…
I can see how you are fully aware of the situation here, of how sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and too young to be dealing with all this. That you have faith in me and what I’m doing here means so much. When I feel completely out of my depth, I’ll try to remember the words of encouragement you’ve written here. I want nothing more than to be a good minister of Christ Jesus, I hope you know that. Sometimes though, it’s just so hard to know where to start!
I can hear your answer in my head – start with God! I have to start with my own spiritual journey, training in how to be godly, so that when people look at me, they see an example of how to live life God’s way. With a firm hope in the living God, I can allow the truths of the faith to ‘nourish’ me – nice word! I like that. How old I am makes no difference at all. It is my life that will speak volumes and earn respect. It may not feel like it most of the time, but God has given me a gift, equipped me to do this work, and I have to nurture that gift and use it.
There are so many clever, articulate, skilful people here who are drawing others in with false interpretations of the message. They present so well and promise so much that I’m not surprised that some believers are taken in. They come up with rules about how to live that are far from God’s truth. They attempt to draw a line between what is sacred and what is not, what is of God and what is not. And yet, you’re right: God created all things and saw that it was good. Everything belongs to God. He is in it all.
Everything is spiritual.
