S(1 Timothy 4:15) “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.”
O
"These things” that Paul instructed Tim to practice and immerse himself in could have referred to this whole letter or they could have referred to Paul’s more immediate instructions:
What Paul did not instruct was perfectionism. Progress towards godliness, or even the right target of Christ-likeness, instead of perfection—successful behaviorism—was the measurement that Paul used.
A (Personal)
In light of that understanding, here are four questions I am asking myself:
A (Personal)
In light of that understanding, here are four questions I am asking myself:
- Do I know Jesus better today than I did yesterday, a year ago or a decade ago?
- Or more accurately, do other believers recognize my progress? (I could delude myself, so that’s why I should value the church’s measure of whether I’m progressing.)
- Am I that humble, that submitted to the Body of Christ?
- Do I know how the church measures me?
A (Psychological)
Hargrave and Pfitzer describe an over-developed will to control (others, self, circumstances) as one response to relational pain (violations of love and trust). That desire to be in control (i.e., perfectionism) is on the opposite spectrum of behavioral reactions to relational pain. Chaos is on the opposite end of that spectrum--life is chaotic so I might as well eat, drink, and be carelessly merry. On the emotional side of reactions to relational pain is rage on one end of the spectrum and shame (inward rage) on the other end. This is why accepting the Holy Spirit's more fair evaluations of us is so healing and helpful.
P
Jesus, I have so much to learn about Your love! You're my Holy Judge and my Personal Savior, I safely cast my life before You. I know I stand alone before You without you accepting other people’s judgment … without even my own judgment. But even in my aloneness before You, I’m never alone. You are my rock, my advocate, my champion, my deliverer. Help me, therefore, to practice being like You. Help me to truly learn to think like You and to become Your creation as You intend.
Jesus, I have so much to learn about Your love! You're my Holy Judge and my Personal Savior, I safely cast my life before You. I know I stand alone before You without you accepting other people’s judgment … without even my own judgment. But even in my aloneness before You, I’m never alone. You are my rock, my advocate, my champion, my deliverer. Help me, therefore, to practice being like You. Help me to truly learn to think like You and to become Your creation as You intend.
