1 Timothy 4:15-16

B4 Be steadfast in your belief

C1 Keep on habitually applying these things.

D1 We need to think. We need to deeply think. We need to be careful.

D2 The Greek word apply is μελετάω meletáō. It is frequently translated as meditate, practice, attend to with the idea of being diligent, and having a plan to follow and follow it. The Christian faith is one of learning truth from the Scriptures, then teaching and living it. We must keep on practicing the faith. Also in Acts 4:25 CSB You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant: Why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? [The word plot or devise in the same word]

D3 Verses

E1 Psalm 77:12 NET I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds!

E2 Philippians 3:12-14 NLT I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

C2 Give yourself wholly to them.

D1 Robertson writes: [Give yourself is] Present imperative second person singular of ειμ, "keep on in these things.

D2 The things of God are most important to our life today and in the future life.

D3 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

C3 ...progress may be obvious to all.

D1 Progress in the Christian faith comes from the preceding verses.

D2 We should always be growing.

D3 To grow we need spiritual food. 1 Peter 2:1-3 EMTV Therefore having put away all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all slanders, 2 as newborn babes, desire the genuine milk of the word, that by it you may grow, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

D4 We need to be taught. We need to live it. We need to teach others.

C4 Watch yourself and your teaching.

D1 The Greek word for watch is ἐπέχω epéchō. It means to fix your attention. In this case, watch yourself so that you take care of your spiritual health, emotional health, and physical health.

D2 3 John 1:2 EMTV Beloved, concerning all things I pray you to prosper and to be healthy, just as your soul prospers.

D3 Teaching/doctrine is all we believe. It includes God’s character, beliefs, lifestyle, and worldview. We learn this today from the teachings of the Bible especially the New Testament.

C5 Continue in them.

D1 Continue in them

E1 The Greek word for continue is ἐπιμένω epiménō. It means to remain, stay put, not to waver. In this case, from the truth taught by the Lord Jesus and His apostles.

E2 2 Thessalonians 2:15 EMTV So then, brothers, stand fast and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our letter.

E3 Galatians 5:1 NLT So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

D2 Our progress must be something all can observe clearly. It must be in private and public.

C6 ...for in doing this you will deliver both yourself and those hearing you.

D1 Wilbur Pickering remarks: Paul here emphasizes human responsibility. If Timothy goes astray, those who trust him in spiritual matters will also go astray; if he remains firm those who follow him will too. This reminds me of James 3:1. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."

D2 Lange writes: For in doing this. The sense of the σωτηρία is positive as well as negative. As to the former, Paul probably meant the saving of Timothy himself, and of those that heard him, from false doctrine and its unhappy effects. But with this is joined the gaining of the salvation promised through the gospel to all that believe, the blessedness of which Timothy and his hearers would thus more and more partake. A twofold and most alluring reward is thus assured to his fidelity.

D3 The salvation mentioned here is not soul salvation. It is salvation/deliverance from the world’s way, worldview, lifestyle, and philosophy. It is deliverance from error.

B5 Applications

C1 There is a Christian life for our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C2 We need to study, teach, and live the Christian faith.

C3 We need to actively think about God’s teachings.

C4 God will give us grace to do these things.

D1 James 4:6 NET But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.

D2 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NET I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

D3 1 Peter 5:10 GW God, who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while.

C5 Do not quit.

B6 Questions

C1 How is consistency important to the Christian life?

C2 Why do God’s teachings need to be the greatest priority?

C3 What is the Christian life? How is it different from a non-Christian life?

C4 Why do we need God’s grace to live a Christian life?