There is a great danger in mere words without a consistent prac tice of Christian principles in our lives. After all, faith is more a way of walking than it is a way of talk ing. What can we do about apos tasy today? Paul suggests to Tim othy, "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" (I Timothy 4:6). As believers all of us should be good communicators and teachers, being apt examples for the faith. We do not need to depend on a series of pious platitudes or moral cliches. We have the authority of the ever-living Word. Verse seven goes on to tell us to refuse pro fane and old wives fables. What is referred to here is not fictitious fables but rather word of mouth conversation, or what we might re fer to as "small talk." It all lacks solid verification and substance. The C reek word translated "fables" is just the contrary to the solid, verifiable information that one may find available. Much of life is taken up with wasted "chit chat" when there are so many oth er worthwhile things which should be discussed. Our lives should nev er be relegated to common, ordin ary purposes of the world. To use that which is holy and spiritually significant in the sight of Cod for a base purpose is an utter waste in His sight. We might capsulize verse seven by saying, "Avoid the touch of man when you have before you the touch of Cod." We cannot use mere small talk to solve some of the serious problems we face to
day. Old wives tales are grossly inadequate for the need. Man's best is no match for Satan's attack. We are rather to be exercised un to godliness. What a contrast this presents. In verse eight the picture con tinues, "For bodily exercise profit- eth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." This verse has often been misapplied by those who do not happen to be inter ested in athletics. The contrast is not necessarily between athletic events and non-athletic events. It is rather between the material and the spiritual. The word "exercise" comes from the Greek which means to be stripped down for the contest. In many of the ancient sports clashes some of the contestants went into competition with no clothes on at all. This was an effort to be free from every weight and encum brance possible. Paul urges Timothy, as well as us, not to use the things of this world but to strip down to the basic elements of godly living. This is reminiscent to the Apostle's ref erence to the church at Corinth when they were told of their world liness and carnality. They were rather to be spiritual Christians. Verses seven and eight empha size the benefits of a true godly life. This will stem the tide of our problems in life, and as we see apostasy on the increase. Godly living has merit not only for all eternity but also now as we be come vital witnesses for Him. So, when you run into the prob lem of individuals who are under cutting the very values presented
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