Sanctified by means of the word of God

1 Timothy 4 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, ² by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, ³ men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; ⁵ for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

⁶ In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. ⁷ But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; ⁸ for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

¹¹ Prescribe and teach these things. ¹² Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. ¹³ Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.

In today’s text Paul says:  But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.  It is important to understand what Paul is saying when he says everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude. Paul is not giving license to sin or to participate in things that are unrighteous. He is referring to those who create more regulations and restrictions, beyond the commandments of God. Proverbs 23:19-21 says:  Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Even what is acceptable in God’s sight can be harmful in excess. Furthermore in Isaiah 5:20 God says:  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Neither the redemption of the cross nor God’s grace toward sinners changes what is evil to good or darkness to light. The text says:  Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude;  for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.   We cannot sanctify and make something good, by means of the word of God, when He has called it evil.

The text says:  In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.   It is not that we should not discipline our bodies in order that we do not indulge in the lust of our flesh. It is that the purpose of our discipline is not to be self denial, but rather godliness. It is godliness that Paul says we should labor and strive for. Yet in truth we cannot attain godliness by our own striving. Rather, in Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”   We attain godliness through Christ alone. When we are yoked to and yielded to Him we rest in the confidence of knowing we walk in both His grace and His righteousness. To deny ourselves but not rely on Christ makes us our own lord and savior, which is foolishness. There is a saying: A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.  Previously in 1 Timothy 2:5, it said:  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.  Jesus alone is our mediator, our Savior and our Lord.

The text says:  Prescribe and teach these things…  in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe…  give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.  Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you… Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.   As we are yoked and yielded to Christ, our godliness should be evident in our speech, our conduct, love, faith and purity. We should declare scripture in public. In Mark 16:15-16 Jesus says:  “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved."

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ; precious Holy Spirit as I am yoked and yielded to You, may my conduct and my speech also glorify You. May the world see Your likeness in me.  Amen.