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PURITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. I Timothy 5:21-25. 07/17/2022. #17.
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. 24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.
1. OBSERVE ALL OF PAUL’S TEACHING
a. Paul spent the last 3 chapters instructing Timothy is selecting godly leaders and being an example to others in word and deed
b. Paul wanted Timothy to follow his teaching and to teach others to do so as well
a1. Godliness, particularly in leadership, was paramount
a2. The church can’t afford to lower biblical standards when choosing leaders
c. Paul even makes an oath: he is charging these with Jesus and the angels as witness
a1. Demonstrates its importance
a2. Convenience is not to override following biblical precepts
d. Without prejudice or partiality
a1. Not to install someone popular or influential if they are not qualified
a2. Not rejecting someone because they are not in “the inner circle”
e. It is important to evaluate things through spiritual eyes and not social eyes
f. Not to elevate a person to leadership quickly
a1. Must get to know a person before they are elevated to lead (testing)
a2. Many men have been ruined due to being elevated too soon
2. PURITY and PHYSICAL STRUGGLES
a. Paul gives Timothy 2 warnings:
a1. Not to share in other people’s sins (Ephesians 5:8-21)
a2. To be careful not to fellowship with the ungodly or bow to peer pressure (Tim. was more introverted than Paul)
b. On a personal note, Tim. apparently was having intestinal issues: take a little wine (kills bacteria) for stomach (avoid drinking the local water)
3. ALL WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT
a. Important principle: some people’s sins catch up with them in this life, but some are not held account until after death
a1. No one gets by with anything
a2. Judgment will come (Revelation 20)
b. Some people are honored for doing well in this life, but many are unnoticed until the Lord hands out rewards (I Corinthians 3)
Key Verse: Ephesians 5:8-218 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.