Example!

Example!

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

[12] 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.

One of the amazing things about the Word of God is its multi-generational applicability and universal appeal. There is no challenge that is so peculiar or unique that an answer is not found in the word of God. There is no issue or problem so high that the word of God does not provide a higher or better solution to. That is why a relationship with the Word, which is the person of Jesus, is critical to whatever impact or relevance I seek to make in the place where I have been planted. This is the message of the verse above. The young man Timothy, who was the recipient of the letter written by Paul, may not have been known by anyone if not for the intervention of God, and the obedience of Paul. Timothy was a young man who would have been a parish among the Jews of his time: his father was Greek, which was a reason for rejection at the time. However, Paul saw a gift in him, and took him under his wings to nurture him. 

Is there a life in need of God's mercy through my lips, hands, feet or life? Are there people struggling with identity crisis, unsure of who they are, or whose they are, and need the help of God to know what God expects from them, so that they can pursue the plan of God for them? Timothy would not have been totally accepted by the Jews of his time, but Paul was inspired to deal with those limitations, nurture him, and then set him up to succeed under the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Timothy was charged by Paul not to let his age or maturity level become an excuse for carelessness or complacency. Indeed, we may accept the fact that someone is young and needs guidance, but it can never be an excuse to permit ungodliness. Just as it was in Timothy's time, so would there be people who need to hear the message in today's ages verse: do not let your age be an excuse. 

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and David was about 17 years old too. Being young is not an excuse for indiscipline, but a platform to show off God's grace. In the verse above, Paul was charging Timothy to set a good example to the believers in all aspects of human endeavour: in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity. What aspect of life is left out? Both the internal and external are taken care of. My walk must match my talk. It is hypocrisy to tell people to do a thing whilst I do the opposite. The way I approach people, the conversations I am able to hold and sustain, the acts of love I can carry out without seeking applause, the way I hold on to God, even when things are failing apart all around me, and the standards of holiness that I am required to hold on to, are platforms on which I set worthy examples that others can be encouraged by. God wants to be glorified in and through me; is my life such a platform? God's time of favour is here.