Selah Monday: Keys to Spiritual Success

Keys to Spiritual Success 1Tim 4:15-16

The first key to spiritual success is to Be DILIGENT.

Knowing that Timothy was naturally timid Paul, charges him to be strong in the Lord. "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all."

Malcolm Tolbert, in volume 22 of the Layman's Bible Book Commentary, brings this thought home to us. He says, "One thing is clear in 1Tim 4 verses 15 and 16. The minister does not begin fully developed. Apparent `progress' should be seen in his personal life and in his work as a minister." Those words "Give yourself entirely to them" require diligence. 

Diligence requires constant, careful effort. It is perseverance. It is moving ahead through adversity. If you don't experience adversity you can be sure Satan isn't worried about you. He can ignore you. You aren't doing anything to make him unhappy.

Be CONSISTENT.

Verse 16, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine." Leith Anderson, in his book Leadership That Works says "It's not about miracles," He says, "An amazing and wonderful line summarizes the life of John the Baptist: "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man (Jesus) was true (John 10:41). Jesus said, "I tell you the truth: among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11). John was a great man and a great leader even though he never performed any miracles."

Leith draws the right conclusion from the ministry of John the Baptist. He says, "Modern leaders don't need to be miracle workers. They just need to do what God has called them to do: Tell the truth about Jesus."

The third key to Spiritual Success is to Be PERSISTENT.

Verse 16, "Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." There are a lot of good reasons why a pastor ought to just give up and get out of the ministry. Just looking at the table of contents of Leith Anderson's book on pastoral leadership makes me tired and discouraged.

Complexity—nothing seems Simple Anymore

Busyness—There's Never Enough Time

Competition—Like Running a Marathon

Expectations—The Rules are Changing

Relationships—It's Who You Know

Stress—The Weight That Holds You Down

Then there are the refreshing chapters that make you want to hang in there and finish well.

Hope—We Need It To Go On

Actions—What the Leader Can Do

Vision—See the Goal and Show The Way

The End—Finishing Well

For many of us that's what it's all about, isn't it? Finishing well! "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who

hear you."

Paul isn't talking about the salvation of your soul. He is talking about finishing well. By giving appropriate attention to these various factors of spiritual influence, character, and success you will reap a sense of satisfaction in your life.

In Matthew 10:39 Jesus says, "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Your faithful example in the service of the Lord will bring fulfillment to you and to those who follow you. You may become weary in the work of the Lord, but don't ever become weary of the work. 

If you focus on the building blocks of spiritual influence, the building of spiritual character, and the keys to spiritual success you will find the life of fulfillment that you so desperately desire. 

I ask you to hear and heed the invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."