1 & 2 Timothy were written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, a young pastor. In Acts and Romans we can study the life of Paul, who went from warring against the church to being a soldier of Christ, a missionary that fulfilled the call, a prisoner that sang with joy, and a human that God chose to write down the Almighty's very own Words. Although Paul was older and more mature, Timothy could experience the same Grace in his walk with God. The Books of Timothy were not only for struggling young Timothy yesterday, but also for you and me today.
"...But godliness is profitable unto a l l t h i n g s , having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of a l l acceptation."
1 Timothy 4:8-9
A godly individual is someone who is pleasing to the Lord. Because "without f a i t h it is impossible to please Him"(Heb. 11:6), godliness should first of all be seen as the result of dependence on God. In Galatians 5:6 we read, "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love". We work for what we do because we cherish it. Love for Christ avails [produces] godliness.
Once the definition of godliness is rightly discerned, we can apply it to our lives (through Christ). Godliness requires devotion (another result of love). In verse 7 of 1 Timothy 4 we are commanded: "...exercise thyself rather unto godliness". Thyself-personal-just you, not others we wish would make our lives less stressful. Remember, godliness is the product of love.
This godliness, what is its use? Godliness is the image of Christ on you and the will of God in you. Verse 8 simply states that it is profitable in all things. God is a God of detail. Godliness is profitable unto ALL things! This is profit, how so? Verse 8 reveals that too. Attaining godliness is having "the promise of the life" exposed in us. Not only future life, but also life now. Christ is Life. The promise of that held in our lives is the fullness of Christ l i v i n g in our heart.
Are we accepting this in every area of our lives? This is a faithful, never-failing Truth. It is worth our life, our heart-- and our love.
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"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12
Now armed against evil, we take on the example --or image-- of the believers. In apprehending God's Words and presence we live life anew. Amid the battle of life God looks upon us and sees Christ's righteousness. Do not be blinded when others despise [think little or nothing of] you.You have been called unto liberty! God does not despise, but rewards such that love Him. (Heb 11:6). Fully surrendered in love to God, every area will be found changing-- like Christ. Open your face to behold the GLORY of all that God is.
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the s a m e image from glory to glory, even as be the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
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"But if I [Paul] tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the m y s t e r y o f g o d l i n e s s: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into GLORY."
1 Timothy 3:15-16
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