Timothy Leadership Series, Part 2

Keep a close watch on all you do and think. 
Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.  
- 1 Timothy 4:16 (TLB)

Great leaders all have one key ingredient to their success or influence. They carry within their hearts a passion to continually grow. This growth mindset motivates them to learn, problem solve, value self-discipline, and inspire others to do the same. Leaders make leaders. They pour themselves into others with a desire to bring out the greatness in others. Paul understood, as many leaders do, that these things don’t just happen. It takes training and prioritizing the right things. Train in the right areas, devote yourself to the right things, and you’ll see impacts and outcomes in your life that you never expected.

Before skills, accomplishments, or titles, people will tend to recognize character and attitude first. A leader’s negativity will affect culture and productivity. One can hardly build trust if they do not prioritize integrity, honesty, and selflessness. Training and self-discipline are essentials for building and maintaining one’s character and positive attitude. In what area should Christian leaders place their focus or attention when it comes to training? First Timothy 4:7-10 shines light on this by emphasizing that the focus primarily should be on godliness:

Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.  - 1 Timothy 4:7b-10 (NASB)

Many phrases catch our attention in these few verses. One that we should not overlook is, ‘godliness is beneficial for all things.’ Isn’t it interesting how many times in Scripture we’ll see the word ‘all’ and yet diminish its intended meaning? Pastors will often highlight the word ‘all’ in their sermons by saying, “What does the word ‘all’ mean? (dramatic pause) ALL!” Our human nature tends to naturally push against these ‘all’ statements, and we continually need reassurance or convincing. Pursuing and training in godliness is most beneficial. It overflows and permeates your character, which builds you into the man or woman God intends you to be. Training yourself up in godliness is how you can best begin to be an ambassador for Christ. Godliness is included in the ever-so-important character-building passage in 2 Peter 1:5-8:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a Christian leader, an ambassador for Christ, one pursuing godliness, hear the encouragement of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy to set the example. Pay attention to this list of areas he gives for setting the example and apply it to your life—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. Continue to practice healthy spiritual disciplines motivated by a deep passion for the Lord. Love for God will always keep you on the right path. This love for God will inspire you towards proper pursuits.

Proper pursuits are found throughout Paul’s epistles to the churches. Paul includes a series for Timothy in his final charge as well in 1 Timothy 6:11b-12:

pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Paul reinforces the training efforts for Timothy to prioritize. These traits will go a long way for Christian leaders, both in their personal lives and their influence on others. Take hold of your calling in Christ. Pursue godliness and strive to love the Lord in all things. Set the example.

May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.  - 2 Timothy 4:22 (NLT)