Timothy, an Exemplary Youth

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Timothy, an Exemplary Youth

Today's Text: 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. 1 Timothy 4:12

The Message:      Timothy's principles had been so established by a correct education that he was fitted to be placed as a religious teacher in connection with Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles. He was a mere youth, yet he bore his great responsibilities with Christian meekness. He was faithful, steadfast, and true; and Paul made him his companion in labor and travel, that he might have the benefit of his experience in preaching the gospel and establishing churches....      Paul loved Timothy because Timothy loved God. His intelligent knowledge of experimental piety and of the truth gave him distinction and influence. The piety and influence of his home life was not of a cheap order, but pure, sensible, and uncorrupted by false sentiments. The moral influence of his home was substantial, not fitful, not impulsive, not changeable. The Word of God was the rule which guided Timothy. He received his instruction line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Impressions of the highest possible order were kept before his mind. His home instructors co-operated with God in educating this young man to bear the burdens that were to come upon him at an early age.      There are many who move from first impulse, rather than from experience and judgment. But Timothy exercised consideration and calm thought, inquiring at every step, "Is this the way of the Lord?" There was nothing novel in the mind and work of Timothy. He had no specially wonderful talents; but his work was valuable because he used his God-given abilities as consecrated gifts in the service of God. The Holy Spirit found in Timothy a mind that could be molded and fashioned to become a temple for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, because he submitted to be molded.      The highest aim of our youth should not be to strain after something novel, but to place themselves under the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. Then they may possess the attributes classed as highest in the heavenly courts. They will hide themselves in God, and in all their teaching will simplify the original truth so that it will not appear strange but familiar to other minds. They will weave it into their daily thoughts and practical life.      We see the advantage that Timothy had in a correct example of piety and true godliness. Religion was the atmosphere of his home. The manifest spiritual power of the piety in the home kept him pure in speech, and free from all corrupting sentiments. From a child Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures. He had the benefit of the Old Testament Scripture, and the manuscript of part of the New, the teachings and lessons of Christ....      A noble, all-round character does not come by chance. It is the result of the molding process of character-building in the early years of youth, and a practice of the law of God in the home. God will bless the faithful efforts of all who teach their children as He has directed.-Letter 33, 1897.

Commentary: My friend, the development of a noble character begins in the home.  Parents are given the responsibility of molding the characters of their children, that they may be a blessing to others.  But this responsibility is not without assistance from above.  If parents would submit themselves to the Lord, He will give them wisdom and knowledge in the raising of their children.  In the home of Timothy, his parents and family cooperated with the Spirit of God, and what a blessing was given to the world through him. Today, the promise of God in the Scriptures says "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) is still in place today.  If parents would submit themselves to the Lord and follow after Him, by their example they will influence their children in the way of the Lord.  Then as they instruct and teach them, their words will have greater effect as they see the principals at work in the lives of their parents. Though there are some parents who have not always followed the ways of the Lord in the upbringing of their children, it is never too late to effect a change in their lives.  The most important lesson that we as parents can give to our children is the example of Christ working within our lives.  As they see us walk in the ways of the Lord, they will be influenced for good. None of us are perfect, and we have all made mistakes in our lives, but these mistakes do not have to shape our destinies.  If we would simply surrender our lives to Christ, He will use those mistakes for His glory, for "...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). God bless,

Video of the Week The Nature of Sin - Prove All Things 9 The nature of sin. Just what is sin? How does the Bible reveal to us the depth of this problem? What is the proper definition of sin? And how does that impact our practical walk with Jesus? Nader Mansour explores these questions in this episode of Prove All Things.