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1 Timothy 4:16
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16 Take heed [epecho] unto thyself, [seautou] and [kai] unto the doctrine; [didaskalia] continue [epimeno] in them: [autos] for [gar] in doing [poieo] this [touto] thou shalt [sozo] both [kai] save [sozo] thyself, [seautou] and [kai] them that hear [akouo] thee. [sou] KJV-Interlinear
16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you. NASB
Jesus Himself made the statement:
John 8:31
31 … "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; NASB
Most people, most Christians that is, say that they love Jesus. But most Christians don’t even crack open the Bible very much during their lifetime, let alone on a yearly, monthly, or daily basis.
And as for those who go to church or do something of a Christian nature, a bit more often, they still do not comply with the command, to ‘abide in the Word.’ Their spiritual reality is more of a convenience, or for social entertainment, or ‘do as they see fit’ approach to their spiritual life.
If you had the ability to see those who actually hunkered down in a daily study, in this world, I think you would be surprised to discover just how few they are in number. Then you might realize that this world hangs on only because of the grace of God, and certainly not because of the ingenuity or brilliance of any human effort.
Of course, the best example of human failure will come in the future when the Tribulation unfolds into history, as humanity brings itself to near extinction in less than seven years following the Rapture.
Most folks believe that it is their option to view all things in life, and make their own way through life as they see fit, and that, that is what sustains humanity in this world.
And that could not be further from the truth. Dust cannot sustain dust unless there is an overriding power to help it out.
And so Paul closes this chapter with good advice.
Pay close attention, be alert, do not be foolish, listen, observe, notice, regard. That is your command to stick with truth (Bible doctrine). Learn it, and understand it, and keep it as your most prized possession.
Persevere in your spiritual life, no matter what the world throws at you. Never be discouraged. The world wants you to become discouraged. Never give up. The world wants you to give up. Never doubt. The world wants you to have doubts.
Doctrine preserves your life and completes your life. The world doesn’t want you to have anything good, but will try to entice you or disappoint you so that you will be certain to fail (and the world wins).
And if you ever do take the challenge to advance in your spiritual life, the world will only get tougher on you, so that you will quit.
But God is greater than the world, and with nothing more than words on a page, and I will repeat that, with nothing more than words on a page, you can defeat the entire system of evil that runs rampant in the world and there is nothing that the world can do to stop you. Harass you, of course, but that is all.
The word for salvation or save, ‘sozo,’ means to preserve, to sustain, to keep. And in this context it is not being saved as in believing in Christ, for this verse presumes that you are already saved. After all, doctrine does no good for the unbeliever until they have been saved. Works never save.
However, continued exposure and adherence to your daily studies, will keep God, Christ, and doctrine in the forefront of your mind and thoughts, so that you will not stray away from your spiritual life, but continue to advance in your spiritual growth, building up spiritual muscle and faith. Both of which help you to face and endure every possible trouble that the world can think up and throw against you.
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