STRUGGLING TOWARDS PERFECTION
1 Timothy 4:6-16, Acts 24:16
God created us, gave us full freedom to make decisions in this world. Even
though sometimes we are like naughty kids, He never rushes to punish us. However, it's
interesting that unless we get punished by God, we often forget to change. People usually
do not change spiritually until a great, drastic change is absolutely needed. People never
go to Christ before they feel very guilty and in need of forgiveness. Neither do they grow
in Christ without frustration or difficulties that push them closer to God. This is the sinful
man's arrogance which has been carried all the way till this day.
Such spiritual change is usually evoked by conditions that are painful or
embarrassing. When I was in school, there was a great event on my campus which
attracted almost the whole country. Besides being on the committee, I was also assigned
to take care of the closing events. It was obviously a very busy and tiring time; someone
had offered to help out. For some reason, I got mad at him, thinking that he was meddling
in my business.
That night I could not sleep well; that really bothered me till morning. Why was I
so impatient? If I didn't change, then I could hardly have any friends. My friendships
would be disturbed, and so will be my service. My friends will avoid me, my reputation
will be smeared. The next day, I rushed to see him, I apologized to him and retrieved my
peace of mind.
Sometimes God lets us to ridiculous things so that we can fall, feel ashamed and
see our deficiencies in this life. That way we seek to change, bring ourselves closer to
God. If we are closer to God, positive changes will automatically follow.
1. Our Old Self
What did our old self do and believe in? “godless myths and old wives' tales” (1 Tim
4:7a NIV). Clearly godless myths and old wives' tales mean false teachings. This is the
tradition of heretics. Such teachings are not Biblically based. However, such teachings
are still discussed by ignorant people who do not obey the word of God. Paul also
reminded Titus (Titus 1:14), and Timothy regarding the same issue in his second letter (2
Tim 4:4).
Before one believes in Lord Jesus, the influence of tradition is indeed very strong;
even new believers also experienced such difficulty. Pressure from parents and relatives
that are still in such tradition is still great. If one doesn't have firm faith accompanied by
support from the environment, then he could easily stumble to sin. That is why Paul
reminded Paul to not” devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.” (1 Tim 1:4
NIV). Maybe sometimes we need to find out about false teachings, cults, but we should
not be influenced by them. That is why guidance from the church like Bible Study and
Layman's Bible Institute are very important.
A blacksmith may use all his heavy duty tools like hammer and saw, but he
should never be careless so as to hit himself. So is it with chemist who is assigned to do
research on narcotics, the chemist should never be influenced by those drugs.
Nowadays Feng Shui, Horoscope, fortune teller are very widespread in magazines
and newspapers. If you asked me whether we may read them? I would say yes. What
stops you and why should you fear such things? The question is, however, “Why should
we read them? The time allotted to read Horoscope could be spent reading the Bible and
Christian books. Why should we waste our time doing such useless things?
2. Our Present Self
1 Timothy 4:7-8 records that physical practice like the depiction of an athlete who is
practicing, especially when they are about to enter a big competition like the Olympiad
that is very famous in Greece. Physical practice and body maintenance are the ways to
respond in taking care of God's temple (1 Corinthians 5:19-20) and to serve Him
(Romans 12:1-2). Physical practice is useful only when we live in this world. Once we
pass away, then our body remains here, we cannot carry it with us. I am sure that the
victims of earthquake and tsunami include those who are well educated and good
looking. Yet when they died, their bodies became cadavers and useless. But, if when they
were alive they had been won by Christ, then their temporary death was meaningless,
because they would be together with Christ in Paradise.
Our life needs spiritual practice the most to prepare us for the future. Apostle Paul
indeed never says that we only need physical exercise, but he also emphasized the need
of spiritual exercise. A healthy body without spiritual health is very dangerous. The
healther we are, the more prone we are to sin. But, if our health is accompanied with
spirituality then that is very good; we will live healthily, mind and body.
Holy life without good physical health is also useless, because that will be
hindrance for others who have not believed. When Job who led a suffering holy life,
nonbelievers perception of believers in general was very negative. That is why we must
keep our physical health as well.
In this world that is getting more liberal, more dominated by technology, it is
harder to reach a life of perfection. This is especially the case for those who live in a free
country. Yesterday I called someone, then I asked her who she is currently living with.
She got nervous and hesitated for a long time. Then she finally said that she is living with
her boyfriend. As bas as we are as Indonesians, since we are still Asians, staying together
as a couple outside of marriage is very embarrassing if not under great pressure.
Hopefully such great tradition and culture will persevere till this day.
3. Our Future Self
If we pay attention to 1 Tim 4:7-8, it is obvious that the most important message
there is to live a life of worship. The purpose is to shape our mind with truth. Our mind
and behavior in righteousness are more precious than our gold and gemstones jewels.
They are even more important than our medal of honor and all our awards.
Once again Apostle Paul used the depiction of an athlete; apparently discipline is
required in shaping a righteous life. An athlete must control his body, obey all the rules,
follow strict diets and sleep well. I still remember one of the Indonesian Badminton
World Champion, Liem Swe King. At that time, all athletes have been disciplined very
strictly in preparation for the competition, but he disappeared and went shopping. When
it was his turn, he got to the court too late and lost the game. It was considered as a Walk
Out (WO).
If today you see a very strong athletic team in a competition, that is all possible
because they have been trained strenuously. Such greatness is neither luck nor instant. So
is great spiritual life of a believer. Worship is not going to church on Sundays, then that's
it. Real worship includes all aspect of our life: while studying on campus, in friendship, at
work, in relationship. Worship must be visible in all aspects of our life. What is the use of
Sunday worship at church if we lead a secular life on weekdays.
Spiritual practice is not easy, we must struggle (1 Tim 4:10a). That means we
must work diligently like an athlete that forces himself to practice. If today we want to
become a good Christian, then we must worship Him in His grace for His glory.
Practice is useful not only for our private lives, but also for others. 1 Timothy
4:11-12 states that people well trained in worship will be set as example for others. They
will reflect God's love, Spirit and joy through their words and deeds in faith and holiness.
Do you wish for such a life?
Self-Reflection:
1. Man's life is full of challenges, especially that the devil never stays still. Did you
ever fall? How is the consequence? What did you have to do to stand back up? Do
you any insights so that our actions will be fruitful and meaningful?
2. To raise the quality of a believer's life, one must practice; that includes reading
and studying God's word. Like a boxer who is about the fight, he must be
trained. Have you trained well? Are you ready to fight?
