Many years have passed since the late Guy N. Woods was editor of the Gospel Advocate. I was a young preacher, and I admired and looked up to those who were “seasoned” in the faith. Guy N. Woods, B.C. Goodpasture, G.K. Wallace, and Gus Nichols were among those preachers who were “giants” in my eyes, and if I could but have a small portion of their abilities I would feel that my life as a preacher could not help but be successful. One of my first articles published in a brotherhood publication was submitted to the Gospel Advocate during the time that brother Woods was the editor. The title of that article was, “What I have learned after ten years of preaching.” I recall receiving a very nice letter from brother Woods (that was before the days of computers and emails) commending me for the article. My heart sank as I read the first few lines: “As editor of the Gospel Advocate I do no usually print articles having to do with personal preaching experiences.” Had I dismissed the letter and not read the remainder I would likely have spent the rest of the day downtrodden and disappointed, and may very well have given up any attempt to write again. But the next line was tremendously encouraging. Brother Woods wrote: “But your article was especially touching, and I plan to print your article in the next issue of Gospel Advocate.” Wow! Talk about an honor!
Three decades have come and gone and occasionally I will receive an email or a phone call from a young preacher asking for advice concerning some issue in the church, or my thoughts on a passage with which he might be having difficulty. I feel honored that some would ask concerning my thoughts, but humbled that some struggling preacher would trust the advice from this “seasoned” preacher. Were I able to address an audience of young men aspiring to preach the word, or who, having recently graduated from college or a preacher training school, were to seek my advice, I think I would focus my remarks upon the advice given by an older, well known preacher who lived almost two thousand years removed from our time, to a younger man who was aspiring to be an evangelist. Of course I speak of the advice that Paul gave to Timothy as contained in 1 Timothy 6:11-16. Using the words of the apostle himself, we focus on the following.
First, “flee these things.” Sometimes the best way to avoid being taken captive to the devil is to “flee.” When Potiphar’s wife sought to seduce Joseph, that young man did not hesitate to make haste and flee from her presence. He did not attempt to rationalize or reason with that woman. Instead he ran, leaving his garment in her hand (Gen. 39:12). When Paul told Timothy to “flee these things,” he had just warned the young evangelist about the dangers of (1) false teachers, and (2) the uncertainty of riches. When men love error more than truth and money more than the Master, they are ripe for apostasy. No wonder Paul told Timothy to “flee these things.” That is good advice for any preacher – in fact it is good advice for every one of us.
Second, “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” The verb here (as in the previous admonition) is “present active imperative” (Robertson). The intensity inherent in the word “flee” is contained in this admonition as well! While fleeing error, the preacher is to be in “hot pursuit” of this sextuple of Christian virtues. Time and space does not allow a detailed discussion of these traits, but every single one of them is indispensible in one’s service to God. One brother summed these traits up thus: “Righteousness (personal integrity which stems from the glorious gospel); Godliness (the mentality that seeks to be like God inall things, personal piety); Faith (faithfulness, dependability); Love (the willingness to sacrifice for the well being of others); Patience (endurance even while under trials); Meekness (exerting controlled power)” (Rick Popejoy). I could not put it any better!
Third, “Fight the good fight of the faith.” The Christian has been enrolled in God’s army, and he called upon to “suffer hardship…as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:3). There are three words that beg consideration in this admonition of Paul to Timothy. The first is “fight.” The child of God cannot compromise, collaborate, or capitulate. There is too much at stake! We must take our stand like Paul did in the face of the enemy and determine to “give no place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth might continue” (Gal. 1:5). The second word is “good.” The fight in which we are engaged is one that is, by its very nature, “good.” It is good because of the eventual outcome of that battle. It is good because it is one to which we are called to engage, and that calling is from God through the Gospel. It is good because it will help the church grow and survive. The third word that begs consideration is “faith.” More specifically it is “the faith.” Paul is not telling Timothy to fight for his own faith, though the young evangelist most certainly must to that. The ASV reads, “fight the good fight of the faith” (emphasis mine, TW). Jude put it this way: “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). When we engage in spiritual warfare we are defending “the faith,” i.e. the entire system of belief as revealed in the word of God. The admonition to “fight the good fight of faith” is good advice for any preacher, young or old. In fact, it is good advice for all of us!
Fourth, “lay hold on eternal life.” The idea is that we are “get a grip on” the promise of eternal life. Try to imagine someone attempting to pick up an object, or apprehend someone. It used to be that a teacher could “lay hold” of a student and discipline that child for any misbehavior that might disrupt the class. A policeman will “lay hold” of a criminal and thereby arrest him. Eternal life is not something that is going to fall into your lap without any effort on your part. Each one of us must “lay hold” of the promise if we are to receive eternal life!
Timothy evidently heeded the aging apostle’s advice, for the younger man became a travelling companion with Paul and a wonderful servant in the kingdom of the Master. Perhaps Paul’s advice will fall on good and honest hearts in our generation as well.