I Timothy 4 Devotional
by Pastor Mark Hudson
Solid Doctrine or good deeds? If you asked most North American Christians which is more important, most will say good deeds. A cry in the previous century was `Life over doctrine.’ It sounds great but it is not great. That emphasis, which is ironically also a doctrine, is unworkable. `Life over doctrine’ is a doctrine. Without a Biblical, appropriate emphasis on doctrine you develop your own doctrine. I am closer to God in a garden than a church is a theology. Just Jesus and me is theology. I don’t need church membership to be a Christian (like “I don’t need a piece of paper to be married) is theology. They are all wrong, poorly thought out, anti-Biblical, and overly simplistic theologies that people follow.
Look at the emphasis in this chapter. See teaching of demons v. 1; who forbid marriage and require abstinence . . . who believe and know the truth v. 3; being trained in the words of faith and of the good doctrine . . . v. 6; silly myths, rather train yourself . . . v. 7; The saying is trustworthy v. 9; command and teach these things v. 11; devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching v. 13; keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching v. 16. Recognize a pattern?
Paul knew how important teaching or doctrine is to good deeds, right living, and healthy churches. If you have wrongheaded ideas about God, you will have wrongheaded ideas about how to live the Christian life. Paul understood that the best and quickest way to produce good deeds and godly Christian living is to teach sound doctrine.
Look at the words and phrases Paul uses: the truth, trained in words of faith and of the
good doctrine, saying, command and teach, public reading, exhortation, teaching. This involves talking about the meaning of words written on a page. This implies a person who teaches. That same one has to sit and read and study. That is a rather lonely and solitary discipline. And it is a discipline. We ought to value those who prepare, study, read, and work hard at being clear.
Luther once said, “Sure, it would be hard for me to sit “in the saddle.” But then again I would like to see the horseman who could sit still for a whole day and gaze at a book without worrying or dreaming or think about anything else. Ask . . . a preacher . . . how much work it is to speak and preach. . . . The pen is very light, that is true . . . but in this work the best part of the human body (the head), the noblest member (the tongue), and the highest work (speech) bear the brunt of the load and work the hardest, while in other kinds of work either the hand, the foot, the back or other members do the work alone so such a person can sing happily or make jokes freely which a sermon writer cannot do. Three fingers do it all . . . but the whole body and soul have to work at it “ (Meuser. Luther the Preacher 1983, 44).
As you know, not everyone wants to hear about dogma, confessions, theology. But everyone has their own confession and everyone has their own theology. Most say, “I don’t need theology” which is again a type of theology or worldview.
Paul understood this. It is not enough to say that Jesus died. It is not enough to believe that Jesus died. We must believe in historic Christian orthodoxy. That involves words, tradition, good doctrine, and holding on to the faith. We must know why Christ died. We must know what His death means for the forgiveness of my sins.
Yet, do not think, this emphasis on words and doctrine is a purely cerebral endeavor. This attention to theology also includes a focus on right living. Notice the emphasis Paul places on our practical expression of faith: “but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity v. 12. “15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this . . . vs 15-16.
Orthodoxy always leads to orthopraxy. Right doctrine always lead to right living. Doctrine is not an exercise in sterile thinking that theologians perform in a seminary for students. Theology is for the church and for everyday Christians.
We ought to embrace correct Biblical thinking about God so our lives will better reflect God’s glory. We need to repent of our desire for independence from His Word and seek obedience to His word. Don’t be lazy. Read, think, meditate, study, and memorize so your life brings Jesus Christ the glory due His name.