training in godliness

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is another piece of advice for Timothy, a young leader in the church whom Paul mentored. I really value the tenderness and encouragement. This is great support for a leader working hard in a community of faith. Two things Paul lifts up are the importance of training in godliness. Our faith is something we have to practice and work at. It doesn't just happen. Any work we do to become more faithful is more than worth the time we put into it. He also emphasizes the importance of scripture, both because it is part of the training in godliness and because he encourages Timothy to read scripture publicly as an important part of his ministry. That's a good reminder for our daily lives as well.

Blessings on your journey today,
Sam

1 Timothy 4:6-16

6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. ⁷Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, ⁸for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 These are the things you must insist on and teach. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ¹⁵Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

inspired word

Good afternoon friends,
This week our theme is the blessing of scripture, which, by the Holy Spirit's power, is God's word to us. Paul reminds his friend and mentee, Timothy that often people aren't interested in living the right way and so people of faith will be persecuted. At the same time, Timothy has a strong, life-long foundation in faith and scripture. He learned this faith from his mother and grandmother, and also from God.

Christians have different beliefs about how to read and interpret scripture, but Paul's words are a landmark for me. He doesn't use confrontational words like "infallible," instead he says something most of us who spend quality time with the Bible can affirm: "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness." Of course, like running shoes or a treadmill, we won't get much training out of the Bible unless we put it to use.
Blessings on your training today,

Sam

2 Timothy 3:12-17

¹²Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. ¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.