Many today contemplate how they can make a difference for good in such a bad world. They will spend countless hours in improving themselves with hopes that they will have a positive influence on someone or something. While every Christian ought to strive to be everything God expects him to be, some forget the principles the Word of God teaches about making a difference to those in the world. Paul wrote to Timothy about the difference he could be by following the Word of God. He instructed Timothy in five areas of how one can make a difference (1 Tim. 4:6-16).
First, one must be a student of the Word (v.6). Paul instructed Timothy, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” Paul knew if Timothy was going to make a difference in the world that he would have to know God’s Word to warn the brethren of the false teachers “speaking lies and hypocrisy” (vv.1-2). One cannot impart that which he does not know. That is why it is so important today for all Christians to heed to the command, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Second, one must be self-disciplined unto godliness (vv.7-8). Self-Control is the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:23). To exercise himself unto godliness, Timothy was to remain sober, suffer hardship, and do the work of an evangelist (v.5). The child of God today must have and keep the same frame of mind. This was a way of life for Paul, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). This difference will be in us.
(Lord willing, continued next week)