- 1 Doctrines of demons?
- 4 nothing is to be rejected?
- 6 in pointing these things out...
- 8 bodily discipline, not?
- 13 a command?
We met at Starbucks Barkley and had a good discussion regarding the above questions. Our discussion included:
- Rom 3:31 and Rom 7:7 The Law is good for guidance and to expose our fundamental sin nature
- John 8:44 Satan is the father of lies, and a very real and present adversary. It is important to deal with him head on as we disciple men.
- 1 Cor 6:19 Spiritual fitness is good; physical fitness is also an important element, both in serving others and as part of our larger witness
- The critical discipline of time in the Word and prayer: In helping men who are not spending frequent time in the Word and prayer, start with the heart, not the Law. What are their core beliefs, what emotions are driving their choices, etc?
We closed with a prayer walk along the path behind Barkley - it was very satisfying to experience the Holy Spirit leading all of us in a coordinated time of prayer.
3 comments:
4:1-5 - it's unfortunate that some denominations of Christian churches today teach these very things (i.e., forbidding to marry, abstaining from certain foods).
4:4 - The key part of this verse is "received with thanksgiving." God's word has sanctified it, and we recognize that by prayer and thanksgiving.
4:6 - Timothy had a specific calling to instruct the brethren, but I think we all are responsible for knowing and teaching what is in God's word, so we too should "poin these out" - but I think a bit of tact is helpful in doing so.
4:8 - Obviously physical fitness is achieved by consistent (daily) choices to exercise and eat healthy. Why should spiritual fitness be any different? It too is achieved through daily exercise in prayer and reading the Word.
4:13 - Part of Paul's prescribed "fintess plan" for Timothy - read, exhort, and study the doctrine. Perhaps a command, or an encouragement. Maybe both.
Thanks Toby (Merc). RE 4:4, are we to accept as good ALL things based on this verse, or are there additional guidelines and limitations from the larger, Scriptural context?
My bible references the "all things" to Gen. 1:31: "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good." There are limits in that some things can be harmful to our bodies. If all I eat is dirt every day, then I am going to be in pretty rough shape. However, dirt is not "unholy", and the fact that I eat it does not make me unholy. If all I ate was dirt, I would destroy my body. This might be sinful, but it would depend upon my reason for eating dirt.
I think the main reason for this passage is to counter the false teaching that was going on. The idea being advanced was that abstaining from good things like food and marriage would make you more holy. But it does not. These things are good, and requiring people to follows rules like these is a distraction from the pursuit of godliness discussed later in the chapter.
The Bible does talk of abstaining from good things (1 Cor. 7:5), but this is usually for a limited time and specific purpose.
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