Make Use of your Spiritual Gifts.1 Timothy 4:14-16.
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Dear Saints,
Spiritual gifts are an exciting as well as a controversial topic among Christians. There seems to always have been controversies around gifts from as early as Paul’s time. That is why he devotes 1 Corinthians 12-14 to the issue. But spiritual gifts are also a great asset to the Christian community. They enable members to deliver more than is naturally possible, for the benefit of the community.
Pay Attention (v. 14). We do not know what gift Timothy had. It most likely had to do with leadership and teaching/preaching. He is encouraged to not neglect this gift, which was given in an exceptional way. Not every spiritual gift is announced prophetically, with the laying on of hands by elders, but this is what happened to Timothy, a clear indication that God had big plans for him. The elders in question here could be from Timothy’s home town or more likely, from Antioch, where Paul would have taken him after their missionary journeys (Acts 16:1-3; 18:22). Gifts do not practice themselves. The person vested with the gift must exercise it for the “common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7), otherwise it is of no benefit.
Practice(v. 15).Paul’s command to “practice these things” is reminiscent of the earlier command to “command and teach these things” (v. 11). As we said earlier, the context implies the discipline of godliness, through which Timothy was to set an example for the believers (vv. 8, 11). That this is linked here with the exercise of spiritual gifts points to the importance of character in the effectiveness of the ministry. Paul wants people to observe Timothy’s progress in godliness.
Persist (v. 16). The exhortation here is that Timothy ought to pay close attention to himself – meaning his conduct, and the teaching – meaning the soundness (correctness) of what he teaches. This he ought to do consistently because it will save him and his hearers. The salvation implied here is that of protection from being misled and swayed by false teachers. Even a great leader and teacher like Timothy had to stay alert to the danger of being misled. How much more you and I?
Your loving Pastor Chris.