In his work, Timothy constantly sought Paul's advice and instruction.He did not move from impulse, but exercised consideration and calm thought, inquiring at every step, Is this the way of the Lord? The Holy Spirit found in him one who could be molded and fashioned as a temple for the indwelling of the divine Presence.
As the lessons of the Bible are wrought into the daily life, they have a deep and lasting influence upon the character.These lessons Timothy learned and practiced.He had no specially brilliant talents, but his work was valuable because he used his God-given abilities in the Master's service.
His knowledge of experimental piety distinguished him from other believers and gave him influence.
Those who labor for souls must attain to a deeper, fuller, clearer knowledge of God than can be gained by ordinary effort.They must throw all their energies into the work of the Master.They are engaged in a high and holy calling, and if they gain souls for their hire they must lay firm hold upon God, daily receiving grace and power from the Source of all blessing."For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:11-14.
Before pressing forward into new territory, Paul and his companions visited the churches that had been established in Pisidia and the regions round about."As they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."The apostle Paul felt a deep responsibility for those converted under his labors.Above all things, he longed that they should be faithful, "that Imay rejoice in the day of Christ," he said, "that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Philippians 2:16.He trembled for the result of his ministry.He felt that even his own salvation might be imperiled if he should fail of fulfilling his duty and the church should fail of co-operating with him in the work of saving souls.He knew that preaching alone would not suffice to educate the believers to hold forth the word of life.He knew that line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, they must be taught to advance in the work of Christ.
It is a universal principle that whenever one refuses to use his God-given powers, these powers decay and perish.Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue.Hence the apostle's fear that he might fail of presenting every man perfect in Christ.
Paul's hope of heaven grew dim when he contemplated any failure on his part that would result in giving the church the mold of the human instead of the divine.His knowledge, his eloquence, his miracles, his view of eternal scenes when caught up to the third heaven--all would be unavailing if through unfaithfulness in his work those for whom he labored should fail of the grace of God.And so, by word of mouth and by letter, he pleaded with those who had accepted Christ, to pursue a course that would enable them to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,...as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." Philippians 2:15, 16.
Every true minister feels a heavy responsibility for the spiritual advancement of the believers entrusted to his care, a longing desire that they shall be laborers together with God.He realizes that upon the faithful performance of his God-given work depends in a large degree the well-being of the church.Earnestly and untiringly he seeks to inspire the believers with a desire to win souls for Christ, remembering that every addition to the church should be one more agency for the carrying out of the plan of redemption.
