Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 4:12 - Example in Love & Purity

Paul instructed Timothy to be an example in love. Of course, Paul was referencing Biblical love, since it is vastly different from the version of love proposed by the world. Biblical love involves self-sacrificing service on behalf of others regardless of how one feels. One does not have to feel affection toward someone treat them lovingly because Biblical love isn’t based on emotions. Note how Jesus described Biblical love in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” There is no mention of how one feels toward the person they sacrifice their lives for. The godly pastor gives his time and energy to the people he is called to serve. He devotes his life to building them up in the Lord. In every church, there are some who may make this difficult to do, but difficulty doesn’t excuse us from the task.