Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
14 “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.” ~ 1 Timothy 4:14-15
Timothy’s commission as a church leader was confirmed by prophecy – “Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord’s battles.” – 1 Timothy 1:18 – and by the laying on of hands by the elders in the church. He was not a self-appointed leader.
As a young leader in a church that had a lot of problems, Timothy may have felt intimidated. But the elders and prophets encouraged him and charged him to use his spiritual gift responsibly. Highly talented and skilled athletes lose their abilities if their muscles are not toned by constant use, just as we will lose our spiritual gifts if we do not put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practice and nourishment. – 6 “GOD has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if GOD has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that GOD is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If GOD has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” – Romans 12:6-8 – GOD gives each of us gifts so we can use them to build up HIS church. HIS gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to HIS wisdom and graciousness – not according to our faith. GOD will give the spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. We cannot, by our own efforts or will power, drum up more ability and therefore be more effective teachers or servants. These are GOD’s gifts to HIS church, and HE gives faith and power as HE wills. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.
“Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and GOD will save you and those who hear you.” – 1 Timothy 4:16 – We know the importance of watching our life closely. We must also be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch the teaching we believe just as closely. Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into sin and heresy. We must be on guard against those who would persuade us that how we live is more important than what we believe. We should persevere in both.
Father GOD reveal the spiritual gifts that YOU have given each of us so that we can help build YOUR church. We know Father that YOUR gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to YOUR wisdom and graciousness and not according to our faith, and YOU, Father GOD will give the spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. We know that we cannot, by our own efforts or will power, drum up more ability and therefore be more effective teachers or servants. These are YOUR gifts to YOUR church, and YOU give faith and power as YOU will. We understand that our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.
Father, we also ask that YOU would help us to keep a close watch on ourselves and on our teaching. Help us stay true to what is right so that we will not be led into sin and heresy. Help us LORD to live what we believe and to persevere in both. In Jesus Holy Name ~
