"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity....Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." [1 Timothy 4:12, 16]
We've all the heard the saying, "Walk the walk and talk the talk." This is an important precept for followers of Christ to follow. We may be the only Bible some people will ever see -- is what they hear from your faith-talk consistent with how you live your life?
Paul admonishes Timothy to watch his "life and doctrine closely." Do we talk about God meeting our needs but don't have enough faith to entrust Him with the checking account or tithing? Do we talk about salvation through faith in Christ but walk around with such a low and joyless countenance that people wonder what the big deal is? Do we smile at strangers, knowing that our faces can joyfully present the smile of Christ? Do you say that teaching the Bible is something we should do -- but you don't bring your Bible to church?
We too need to watch our lives and doctrines closely. Do we condemn a man Christ has forgiven? Would we want someone to hold our pasts, sins, and transgressions over our heads -- the very things we have repented of, received forgiveness for, and continue to have thrown in our faces by people with 2x4s sticking out of their eyes? How Christ-like is your life? How biblical is your doctrine?
Paul tells the young preacher Timothy to set an example for believers in "speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." How much more are we called to do that? Do we set the example, or can one not distinguish a Christian from a resident of the world?
Make sure your life dovetails the doctrine of faith you are called to live.
