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1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (KJV)
Again, a few of the definitions for ‘give attendance’ are: to hold the mind towards, pay attention to, apply oneself to, adhere to, or be given to. Strong’s definition for ‘doctrine’: 1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee'-ah); from NT:1320; instruction (the function or the information): KJV - doctrine, learning, teaching. 2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV) What doctrine or instruction are you holding your mind towards? Is it from God or man? Did you receive it by the revelation of Jesus Christ or having it been taught to you by man? Are you paying attention so that you don’t end up pleasing man instead of God? Because if you are holding to man-made doctrines (which include its traditions) and not that which you have received and been taught through the leading of the Holy Spirit you will end up pleasing man and not God. Remember, if we yet seek to please man we can’t be the servant of Christ. Flesh and Spirit are contrary; and they that are Christ’s are instructed by God through Christ, and strengthened, in that they are able to crucify the affections and lusts of the flesh which are contrary to sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is those things that we have heard and have been assured of in the Spirit. The doctrine of Christ which is revealed to us personally by the Spirit in that the eyes of our understanding is enlightened to the things of God and what He requires of us to remain in good standing with Him. This sound doctrine enables us to continue to walk by faith and not by sight; to hold God to be true and every man a liar; to discern between what is of God and what is of man. It is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, it is without partiality and without hypocrisy. It produces the fruit of righteousness which is sown in peace of them that make peace with God. We are known by our fruit that is produced in our manner of life. What are you teaching through your manner of life whether it be in word or in deed? Is it the doctrine of Christ which has been revealed to you through the Spirit, or are you instructing others to follow man’s traditions and doctrines? Who has taught you or is teaching you? Do you know for sure? If not, it is time that you look to Christ for your instruction and allow His Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth so that you know that you are holding your mind toward His doctrine and not man’s. Today, abide in the doctrine of Christ and pay attention to your walk; examine the things which you have heard and know whether they line up with the word of God; His Spirit bearing witness with your spirit. Allow Him to instruct you through this life so that you are able to be a written epistle of the doctrine of Christ. And be ready in season and out of season to give an answer of the hope that is within you when asked; let it be the doctrine of Christ that then flows forth from your mouth. Most importantly, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. 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. (KJV) God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (KJV)
Remember the definition for ‘give attendance’? A few of the definitions are: to hold the mind towards, pay attention to, apply oneself to, adhere to, or be given to. Strong’s definition for ‘exhortation’: 3874 - paraklesis (par-ak'-lay-sis); from NT:3870; imploration, hortation, solace: KJV - comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty. Exhortation is stirring one up in remembrance of things that pertain to God which encourages them in continuing to live their life in accordance to the truth of God’s Word, and not becoming conformed again to this world. Instead, they are being transformed by the renewing of the mind that they may continue to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Exhortation is also to comfort one another with the truth and life that can only come in and through Christ. Exhortation can be in the form of prayer and supplication, word or deed; however the Spirit leads and guides you. It doesn’t have to be prepared ahead of time; we should be instant in season and out of season, ready and willing to be given to it. Exhortation is speaking the truth in love with the wisdom from above that it may rouse others into action. Are you applying yourself to stir up the gift of Christ within one another so that it does not become stale and of no use; keeping the living waters fresh and flowing? If not, why not? Isn’t this what we are instructed to do? Well, let’s do it today, right now, give and it shall be given. Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on 2 Peter 3:1 The purified minds of Christians are to be stirred up, that they may be active and lively in the work of holiness. Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 9:5 The duty of ministering to the saints is so plain, that there would seem no need to exhort Christians to it; yet self-love contends so powerfully against the love of Christ, that it is often necessary to stir up their minds by way of remembrance. So be given to exhorting one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (KJV)
Strongs definition for ‘give attendance’: 4337 - prosecho (pros-ekh'-o); from NT:4314 and NT:2192; (figuratively) to hold the mind (NT:3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to: KJV - (give) attend (-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to unto); have regard. Webster’s New America Dictionary (copyright 1961) definitions for:
When you give attendance to God’s Word and what He asks of you, then you are being an intelligent hearer. One who makes the choice to walk or live on His side of the fence so to speak; being a doer or one who lives the Word and not just a hearer only. Why should you give attendance to reading? So that you can know; and to know is, to understand the will of God. So that you can know what the hope of His calling is (Eph 1:18) and be delivered from your sins and this present evil world (Gal 1:4). To know what His will is for your life (Eph 5:17, 1Thes 4:3-6), and what He is asking of you. Reading, to study or examine the life of Jesus Christ and the example He gave you so that you can make a good report upon it and allow the manuscript of His life to be published through you. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: (3) Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (KJV) Reading enables the mind to be renewed and enables you to remain familiar with God’s Word. So pay attention to that which Father is having you study so that you are prepared as He knows you have need of; adhering to His instruction in righteousness. These things write I unto you, that you may know how you are to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Today, hold your mind toward reading the Word of God allowing the Spirit to enlighten the eyes of your understanding; absorbing the Word into your life being a written epistle of Christ known and read of all men. That you…. Ephesians 3:18-19 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (KJV) God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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