Grow Our Character and Exercise Our Gifts

March 25, 2013 - 1 Timothy 4:12-14

4:12		不 可 叫 人 小 看 你 年 輕 ． 總 要 在 言 語 、 行 為 、 愛 心 、 信 心 、 清 潔 上 ． 都 作 信 徒 的 榜 樣 。
4:13		你 要 以 宣 讀 、 勸 勉 、 教 導 為 念 、 直 等 到 我 來 。
4:14		你 不 要 輕 忽 所 得 的 恩 賜 、 就 是 從 前 藉 著 預 言 、 在 眾 長 老 按 手 的 時 候 、 賜 給 你 的 。

¹² 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.¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Paul encourages his spiritual son Timothy to grow himself both in the development of character and the exercise of his spiritual gifts received. Timothy should set himself as an example for other believers in his speech and conduct (external spiritual behaviors), and in his love, faith, and purity (internal spiritual qualities). At the same time, Timothy should not neglect, but rather exercise his spiritual gifts in preaching and teaching of the words of God which was given to him by the Spirit through prophecy as the body of elders laid their hands on him. Timothy becomes a model of every believer who devotes himself or herself to grow and to serve the Lord. 

My dear heavenly Father, thanks for using Timothy to be my example that I need to grow myself continuously to become an example to other believers (life influencing life). My speech and conduct matter to God, and my faith, love, and purity of heart, though are not seen by others, are the foundation of my spiritual life. I pray that at the same time I can further develop and exercise my gifts as based on this life foundation for serving the Lord. Also focus myself on preaching and teaching of the words of the Lord to others through other means as well, including training, mentoring, and coaching of emerging leaders who also desire to grow themselves and serve the Lord.