Is your ‘Timothy’ a faithful man?
As modeled by the apostle Paul, a ‘Timothy’ is a person being discipled. Christ-followers are disciple-makers; faithful men who disciple other faithful men. But, who is a faithful man? In the pastoral epistles (1 & II Timothy and Titus), the apostle Paul gives us a comprehensive description of faithful men. And, in the first two chapters of 2 Timothy, we see a summary of this faithfulness in the context of disciple-making. Here are seven marks of a faithful man:
1) A faithful man retains the standard of sound words (the truths of Scripture and the pure doctrine it teaches). He guards the treasure (biblical truth) committed to him, showing love and kindness in communicating the truth to others. “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:13-14). 2) He is a man who is strong in the grace that is found in Christ Jesus—he does not settle for weakness, but relies on the Lord, and continually renews his commitment to minister to others. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 2:1). 3) He invests in men who have proven Christian character (faithful men). He is committed to the Lord’s mechanism of truth transmission—which is disciple-making. He disciples men who are committed to investing in other men. “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).
- He knows that single-minded devotion to Christ, hard work, and patience are essential to victory and fruitfulness (ex. of soldier, athlete, farmer). “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops” (2 Tim 2:3-6).
- He is willing to suffer whatever inconvenience, misunderstanding, and rejection may accompany his Great Commission efforts, knowing that the elect (those chosen of God for salvation), must hear the gospel and believe in order to be saved. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:8-10).
- He is available to the Lord because he keeps himself from impurity and wickedness; he cleanses himself from iniquity—knowing that it is a clean vessel that is “a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master and prepared for every good work.” “‘Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.’ Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:19b-21). 7) He is proactive in pursuing personal holiness; he diligently cares for his relationship with the Lord. He does not toy with uncleanness, but instead he “flees from youthful lusts and he pursues righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22). The disciple-maker does not spend his precious time investing in anyone who has made a profession of faith. 2 Timothy 2:2 makes it clear that we are to enter relationships with faithful men; men who are committed to teaching other men to obey all that Christ has commanded (Mt 28:19-20).
New address for our GFL Treasurer:
Gospel for Life, Treasurer
80 Deer Valley Ct.
Reno, NV 89511
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for Jay as he is completing an exciting new discipleship curriculum for a large church in Thousand Oaks. Also, please pray for him as he prepares to lead a men’s retreat in the Central Coast of California. The church hosting this men’s conference is led by two TMS graduates. The church has grown substantially through their ministries and is ready for a very dedicated ‘launch’ of disciple-making.