GRACE ISN’T “FAIR”
Opening Prayer
Lord, keep my walk with You straight and true.
Read 1 TIMOTHY 4:6–16
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 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.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
We received what we didn’t deserve through grace and are expected to show grace to equally undeserving people. To whom are you finding it hardest to show grace right now?
Think Further
When facing any challenge, we can choose how to respond. If we refuse to embrace what grace requires, we risk becoming embittered, angry with God and at odds with others. Even when treated unfairly, we still have a responsibility to respond graciously if God is to be honored.
Left behind to continue the difficult work of restoration, Timothy could be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed and even a bit resentful at the task facing him. Paul is blunt: amid the pressures and the loneliness, Timothy must train himself to be godly, as diligently as athletes train their body (7,8,15). The manner of life required by God’s household applies to Timothy just as much as it does to overseers and deacons. If he is going to command and teach these things, he has to live them wholeheartedly, as well (15), becoming a pattern for the believers—for then his relative youth won’t be an issue. It doesn’t matter how hard this is because there is no time for self-pity. He is to devote himself to reading Scripture in the church and expounding it carefully rather than confronting false teaching directly (7): that’s the restorative, healthy diet he is to feed the Ephesians.
In the midst of all these pressures and demands, Paul reminds Timothy that not only is he Paul’s “true son in the faith,” but they also share a hope in the living God. The one who has called Timothy to his service has gifted him for it (14) and is present with those who are faithful (10). Thus encouraged, Timothy is challenged to conduct himself wisely through this time, keeping a Gospel perspective on his own struggles so as to remember what is at stake, for both himself and for those to whom he has been sent (16).
Apply
Invite the Holy Spirit to show you where your perspective needs to become more gracious.
Closing prayer
Lord, enable me to deal with the particular problems that may present themselves to me as I continue my walk with You.
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