INSIDE OUTSIDE
(1 Timothy 4:16)
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Okay, how many people out there are interested in WINNING SOULS? If so, lift your hands to the Lord and shout Hallelujah! How many people out there are interested in being USED by the Lord? If so, clap your hands unto the Lord!!! How many people out there want to know how to be PERFECT in these areas? If so, give the sacrifices of praise unto the Lord?
Needless to say, if you're at work (unless you have your own office) these things should be done quietly or you should wait until you're in an appropriate place to follow the exhortation. If your responses were positive, of course, you're also being "set up" for today's message. Much is said in Christendom about "BEING USED" for the Lord. Much is said about WINNING SOULS. Unfortunately, very little, if anything is said about being PERFECT. Most Christians talk about how they're NOT PERFECT. What many don't realize is that PERFECTION is the call for the Christian. Don't believe that? If you don't believe it, you're busted. You haven't been reading your Bible OR you've been reading a poorly done translation.
Matthew 5:48 talks about personal perfection. Matthew 19:21 gives an account of the topic of perfection being ministered to someone (the rich young ruler, by Jesus). Luke 1:3 talks about perfect understanding. Luke 6:40 talks about perfect servitude. John 17:23 talks about the church being perfect. Acts 3:16 talks about perfect health after being healed. Acts 22:3 talks about perfect dedication to something God no longer honors. Acts 24:22 talks about having MORE perfect knowledge concerning a matter (increasing in accuracy). Romans 12:2 mentions the perfect will of God. First Corinthians 2:6 lets us know that God's wisdom is presented to those that are perfect. First Corinthians 13:10 lets us know that when perfection is reached, imperfection passes away. Second Corinthians 12:9 lets us know that strength is perfected in the midst of weakness. Second Corinthians 13:11 exhorts us to be perfect, among other things, and gives a promise in association with the exhortation -- the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Galatians 3:3 warns us against trying to attain unto perfection through the flesh. Ephesians 4:13 lets us know that the purpose of ministry is to help us become perfect. Philippians 4:12-15 lets us know that Paul was not yet perfect, but steadily pursuing after the goals set before him by the Lord Jesus -- the prize of the high calling in Christ -- not being "drunk" from past accomplishments OR hindered by past failures AND that the attaining of perfection required this mindset. Philippians 3:15, again, lets us know that if a person DOES NOT have this mindset, God will reveal it (chastisement, reproof) for the purpose of changing the individual's focus. Colossians 1:28 contains yet another commentary on the purpose of ministry -- that its purpose is to help present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 4:12 talks about the role that intercession plays in the attaining of perfection and success in God. First Thessalonians 3:10 talks about ministry being used as a tool to perfect faith AND that which is lacking in one's walk with Christ.
Second Timothy 3:16-17 talks about the tool necessary for someone in ministry to be perfect and thoroughly equipped to perform the work of the Lord. Hebrews 2:10 and Hebrews 5:8-9 talk about how Jesus, the captain of our salvation, was made perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 7:19-20 talks about how the Old Testament made nothing perfect, but the New Testament (covenant) does. Hebrews 9:9 and 10:1 talk about the imperfection of the Old Testament priesthood. Hebrews 9:11 talks about the "perfect tabernacle" and priesthood of the New Testament.
Of course, there are several more references. We could go on and on and on. By now, everyone should be on the same page. PERFECTION is an issue in Christianity. Where many make the mistake is in how they DEFINE what being perfect is. The word "perfect", as used in the scriptures, does not mean to be without flaw or mistake. The word "perfect" (in the vast majority of instances) means "complete in growth and mental/moral character". In some cases, it means "to complete thoroughly -- to adjust or repair". Make more sense now? Most interestingly, the most commonly used word for "perfect" in our New Testament comes from another word that denotes limits and goals that we set for ourselves. Hence, perfection entails what we have set out to do in our heart and making the appropriate efforts to get there. Remember Philippians 4:13-15. Paul said "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." One cannot accomplish, in God, what one does not pursue. Perfection requires a target. Accomplishing perfection requires that a person adheres to the dictates of that target. Once a person takes their eyes "off the prize", they no longer have a PERFECT ATTITUDE and WILL NOT reach perfection.
All of this was necessary in order to deal with today's message. While many express the desire to be used by God or to win souls, interestingly, the desire to be excellent disciples is rarely mentioned. Unfortunately, being in a position to fulfill the call and ministry of the Lord is DEPENDENT upon it. Consider today's text. First Timothy 4:16 challenges the Christian to pursue an INSIDE OUTSIDE pattern of development and effect. If you really want to affect those around you -- at work, your family, the random person you meet on the street -- start by working on the inner man.
How do we affect the inner man? The answer is in this verse. We are exhorted here to TAKE HEED to both ourselves and the doctrine. The phrase "take heed" simply means "to pay attention to". In taking heed to ourselves, we learn ourselves. In giving the strictest attention to ourselves, we'll be aware of our strengths, tendencies and, therefore, become astutely aware of areas that need work and areas that just need maintenance. People who don't know themselves cannot minister to themselves. People who see themselves, but make no effort to deal with themselves will fall into error. Taking heed to oneself is ESSENTIAL to Christian success. This is why 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith. It is our resonsibility to keep ourselves in order.
NOTE: People who take heed to themselves are more likely to receive correction, reproof and rebuke when it comes. People who don't take heed to themselves usually reject these elements of Christianity. Truth -- only godly people care about where they stand. Ungodly people are haphazard, reckless and have an appetite for things that displease God. Hence, they're not receptive to ANYTHING God has for them (unless God opens their ears and eyes). If you know someone like this who claims to be a Christian, have a heart. At least pray for them -- that they stand perfect and complete in the will of God. We have lots of "Corinthians" among us today. Where would the Corinthians have been, however, if Paul hadn't prayed for and taken the time to minister to them?
Taking heed to "the doctrine" is also essential. In many circles, the word "doctrine" is taboo. That's sad. In the Greek, the word "doctrine" simply means "instruction". I once heard a pastor say, "I don't have doctrine, but as long as I've got Jesus!". Can you say, FOOLISH? Where there is no instruction, there is no knowledge. Where there is no knowledge, GOD'S PEOPLE GO INTO CAPTIVITY AND PERISH (Isaiah 5:13 and Hosea 4:6)!!! Success in Christ is heavily dependent upon the reception of proper instruction -- the doctrine. Without proper doctrine, taking heed to oneself has no credence. Being aware of "the doctrine" enlightens us regarding God's standard -- His will. What will you examine yourself with without a standard? How do you know whether or not you've put a piece of furniture together properly without a chart or schematic drawing (directions)? Noah received a schematic regarding the ark. Moses received a schematic regarding the tabernacle and the high priest's attire. So also have we received a schematic regarding Christian lifestyle and responsibility. It's called DOCTRINE. A Christian without doctrine is like a flower of the field without sunshine and water. It withers and dies.
As we take heed to ourselves AND the doctrine, Paul goes on to say, that we will SAVE OURSELVES AND THOSE THAT HEAR US!!!!!! Whoa! You mean that if I want to be saved, I need to do this? YEP! If I want to help others see Christ and be saved, I need to take heed to these two things? YEP! If you fall short in taking heed to yourself OR taking heed to THE doctrine, somebody is going to miss out. You'll definitely miss out AND you'll cast a stumblingblock before others. In other words, by taking the time to work on the INSIDE and as we're successful in that area, we'll automatically affect everything on the OUTSIDE.
How about it, folks? Interested in saving yourself? How about saving those that hear you? Still feel like shouting Hallelujah!?! Sobering thoughts, but extremely necessary. By the way, today's text is a direct implication that those who fulfill the tasks of taking heed to self and the doctrine WILL have something to say. Let's strive to enter in at the strait gate, folks. Let's take heed to ourselves and the doctrine. Let's save ourselves from this untoward generation, working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
Until next week, keep the word and be blessed!
Cry Aloud : Volume 4, Issue 17
-- Inside Outside
Copyright © 2000, CyberSaint/Scenario Ministries International
An outreach ministry of Remnant Christian Assembly, Inc. All rights reserved.
Feel free to reproduce for non-commercial purposes.
To subscribe to Cry Aloud, complete our subscription form.
