SATURDAY February 8, 2025
A True Son in the Faith
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Timothy 1:1-2
On his second missionary journey, Paul met Timothy who was a native of Lystra. He had mixed parentage. His mother was Jewish, but his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). Timothy was well-grounded in the faith. His mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois taught him the Scriptures from childhood. They were very devoted Jewish women.
Timothy looked up to Paul as a spiritual father, and Paul saw Timothy as a true son in the faith. Why? Paul had witnessed Timothy’s true conversion, which meant he was a genuine Christian. As a young convert, Paul took him under his wing. He became a great role model for Timothy to follow.
It is necessary for pastors to take younger men under their wings, especially as they grow older. It is important to train and instruct them in the ways of the Lord. I like to think of young men in the ministry as Timothies––men whom you can pour yourself into. Youthful men who have a desire to serve God need to learn to be committed––to count the cost. Like Timothy, God may call them to be missionaries or pastor- teachers, or whatever He wants them to be in the ministry.
Older men in the church, not only pastors, should teach the young men in the church. There is a great need for them to be discipled and led in the right way. Younger men have many temptations to overcome. There are distractions––women, money, entertainment and social media. The devil wants to destroy their lives so they cannot be used effectively in the ministry.
What the Church needs today is a revival among the youth so they will serve God with all of their hearts and minds. They are the next generation to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
I always say to young fellows who consult me about the ministry, “Don’t be a minister if you can help it,” because if the man can help it, God never called him. But if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is the man.”
~Charles H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
