PODCAST
Training Not Trying
August 7th, 2017
1 Timothy 4:1-10
When the Apostle Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy there weren’t different churches in the city of Ephesus, let alone different denominations of the Christian religion. A stroll through the streets of that ancient city would have revealed just one church proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior.
However, what Paul writes applies to every church that lifts up the name of Jesus. Our reason for existence is so that people can come to know Jesus as their Savior. Paul talks about the importance of having sound doctrine, authentic worship, being people of prayer, and having leaders who are servants.
What Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:7 must be the starting place. He doesn’t say, “Try to be like Jesus”, or even, “Try really hard to be godly in every situation, every relationship,” but he says “Train yourself.” To train yourself means you must listen to the coach (the Holy Spirit), and while you might not always get it right, you don’t quit until you can consistently live it out.
Remember it’s not in the trying, but in the training.
Author: Fred Prince
