Young People's Group

But You Have Carefully Followed (III)

by Mitchell Tan
November 09, 2017

DOCTRINE AND LIFE GO TOGETHER

Understanding doctrines from the word of God is never just a mental exercise. It is far more than that. The apostle Paul saw how doctrine and life must go together.

“But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life”
2 Timothy 3:10

Paul’s practice of his manner of life goes together with his doctrine that was based on truth. The way Paul lived his life had always been guided by the Scriptures. Of course, his example was the Lord Jesus. Our Saviour epitomised how a person should live and serve on this earth. Paul sought vigorously to follow His example. The phrase “manner of life” is having an outstanding conduct of life. Paul’s manner of life was truly exemplary. His spiritual son Timothy had carefully followed his manner of life. Our challenge is to do the same.

ASPECTS OF PAUL’S MANNER OF LIFE

What constituted Paul’s manner of life? He sought live his life in service to the Lord. Let’s focus on three aspects of how he went about doing this.

1. CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD IN SERVICE

“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did”
2 Timothy 1:3

Paul dedicated his whole life towards serving the Lord. The word “serve” is the Greek word “latreuó”. It means to serve the Lord as a form of worship to Him. Paul was most conscious of God as he served. His service was his worship of God who had saved him and had given him a second chance. He dedicated his own life towards serving the Lord with a pure conscience, as his forefathers did. His conscience was clear as he served. He was obedient to his call as his forefathers, the prophets of old, were. Let’s also seek to be conscious of God even as we serve Him.

2. CONSCIOUSNESS OF SELF AS A SLAVE IN SERVICE

“You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials”
Acts 20:18-19

When he spoke to the Ephesian elders, he also spoke of his consistent manner of life from the first day that he had come to Asia. The word “serve” is the Greek word “douleo”. It means to serve the Lord as one who is a slave. A slave has no right and self-worth before his master. He obeys all the commandments of his master. Paul served selflessly as a “slave” for the Lord with all humility in Asia despite facing many challenges. This was his lifestyle. His manner of life was consistent from day one. Let’s also seek to serve as His “slave”.

3. CONSCIOUSNESS OF AREA OF SERVICE

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God”
2 Corinthians 6:4

The word “ministers” in Greek is the word “diakonos”. It refers to a servant who has been tasked to look after an area of work. Paul was most conscious of his area of work to which he had been called. He was like an attendant who was there to execute the commands of his master. The Lord Jesus was his master and he and his fellow workers had committed themselves to serving Him in all things. Paul went on to list a long list of situations that he had gone through in order to fulfil his duty as a minister of God. He had gone through much suffering and had done everything he could to serve well. Young people, let’s also seek to be conscious of the work that the Lord has called us to do. Let’s seek to serve the Lord faithfully.

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