1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Those involved in training disciples must first of all remember that they too are disciples. There must never be a hint of “Rules for thee but not for me.” Far too many church leaders of all sorts have fallen into that trap, excusing themselves for things they would disapprove of in others. The letters of Paul to Timothy are very instructive in this area. Paul had no genetic children, but Timothy was certainly his child in faith, and the relationship was everything a father/son relationship should be. That’s why we have a lot of readings from those letters under this theme of Training Disciples. Particularly for those in teaching situations, it’s easy to get complacent about yourself. After all, you’re the teacher! That may well have been a factor in Solomon’s downfall. He became so famous for his wisdom that he stopped applying it to himself! Marrying so many women for political reasons was understandable under the conditions of the day, but certainly not wise on a personal level. Then, because he couldn’t ignore the personal, he had to keep all those women happy, and went into outright idolatry in his attempt to do so. That was absolutely stupid! Politics and convenience are never an excuse for failing to follow God. I’m sure Timothy was never in that sort of situation, but that’s what Paul was cautioning against. Every preacher must listen to their own sermons in all humility, not to critique them in terms of oratory, but to hear and obey what God has allowed them to say for Him.

Around a week ago I had a moment when I thought, “I’m tired of growing.” How stupid was that? When I am constantly urging the believers to grow in their sensitivity and obedience toward God, I can hardly slack off on it myself. I need to keep pressing in, with all the grace and strength that God provides. As Paul expressed to the Corinthians, I need to be strictest on myself! (1 Corinthians 9:27) When I serve an infinite God, there is literally no limit to the possibilities for growth that are ahead of me. I am not to take anything for granted, much less settle for the status quo, but know that God’s plans are for more good than I can imagine, and so maintain full commitment to following those plans. There are many who hear/read me, and I am to some degree accountable for them as well as for myself. It’s more than I can handle, but God’s grace is sufficient, and I’m to be at peace with that.

Father, thank You for this reminder. There’s a lot happening in the next few days, some of it because I have simply failed to do it already. Help me not draw back from any task but do each thing in turn in Your wisdom and strength, so that Your plans may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!