“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b–8 NIV).
All professional boards and most employers require some kind of training before an individual is permitted to engage in a particular occupation. There are several reasons for this, but the most important include safety concerns, efficiency, and productivity. No employer wants an employee who is inept at the task he or she has been hired to do. Now, if secular organizations value training, why is it that some believe it is okay to engage in ministry without preparation?
Now let me be clear, you do not need a degree or a certificate to engage in ministry. However, if you have been called by God into the ministry, you should prepare yourself for the task at hand. The fact is, we cannot fulfill the mission Christ has given His church without properly training for the mission. This is why we must train ourselves to be godly. To be godly does not mean becoming spiritual, having a special connection with God, or even knowing the Scriptures well. To be godly means that “[we] are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
How do we train ourselves to become godly?
First, we must keep our focus on the truth of God’s Word. In the same way a physician specializes in his or her area of expertise, we, as ministers, must remain focused on our field of study and practice, which is the Word of God. When people come to you seeking soul care and wisdom, what will you give them? The Bible says that as evening approached after Jesus ministered to crowds of people, the disciples came to Jesus and encouraged Him to send them away to buy food. But Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16).
We cannot simply offer advice or encouragement, for our opinions have no power, our thoughts have no authority, and our ideas have no foundation if they are not rooted in Christ. The avoidance of human ideologies and fables was obviously on the mind of the apostle Paul when he wisely advised Timothy, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Apparently, the reason Paul had to emphasize this was because there were false teachers at the time who were teaching Christians to follow rules that were either not found in Scripture or were no longer required under the grace of Christ. In 1 Timothy 4, Paul describes these so called “teachers” as those who “abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (v. 1). May God help us to stay focused on His truth, for the power of God’s truth is what will set people free (John 8:32).
Secondly, we must continuously improve our delivery of the truth of God’s Word. In the same way doctors must complete a residency to put into practice what they have learned under direct supervision, ministers must be held accountable to mentors, elders of the church, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make sure they are preaching the unadulterated truth of God’s Word. Indeed, Paul served as Timothy’s mentor, guiding him as he put into practice what he had learned. This is why Paul advised Timothy to beware the temptation to preach what people want to hear. He said, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
Our churches cannot afford to replace the gospel with platitudes, eloquence, inspiring thoughts, or speeches that stir up good feelings, for a church that loses the gospel of Christ has lost its power, has lost its usefulness, has lost its purpose, and has lost its soul! May the Lord forgive us for the times we have strayed from the perfect truth of His Word! The gospel of Christ does not need our eloquence, our charisma, or our clarification. The assignment we have been given is simply to “preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). May God help us to preach His truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
Thirdly, we must be nourished by the truth of God’s Word. In the same way all doctors must go to medical school to learn what it means to practice medicine skillfully, ministers must themselves be nourished by the Word they use to nourish others. You may have heard of the saying, “You can’t give what you don’t have.” Such is the case when it comes to soul care.
God’s Word gives us life. This is why Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
God’s Word nourishes our souls, and only by being connected to the truth of God’s Word can we bear much fruit. If you are not being nourished by the truth of God’s Word, your ministry will have no life. Let God’s Word bring life to your soul and, through you, give life to others.
God’s Word provides direction. This is why the psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, [and] a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). God’s Word teaches us how to become like Christ. God’s Word leads us on the right path—the path of righteousness—and empowers us to bring others along the right path, too. Let God’s Word direct you!
God’s Word sanctifies us. This is why Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (v. 17). God’s Word transforms us. We cannot remain the same when the light of Scripture reveals who we are without Christ and why we fall short. This is why we strive to be more like Him. Let God’s Word sanctify you!
Paul encouraged Timothy, saying, “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed” (1 Timothy 4:6). I encourage you today to train in truth for the mission. If you feel the call of God on your life, do not be satisfied with merely attending church services to receive a word from the Lord. Do not be satisfied with logging into your Bible app to read your scripture for the day. Do not be satisfied with relying on the spiritual strength of others to keep your faith going.
Train in truth for the mission! We have work to do! The lost need to hear the truth. And we need to be ready with the truth of God’s Word to provide what they need. If other professions can take the time required to train for their mission here on earth, why can’t we take the time to train for a mission with eternal consequences?
I urge you, if the Spirit is inspiring you to enroll at Spirit and Life Seminary, complete the application. If God has laid it on your heart to pursue graduate studies, stop procrastinating and go to amdcogop.org to get information. If God is calling you to prepare for ministry, then do what it takes to prepare for the task. Train in truth for the mission!
