Things God Does | 1 Timothy 4:12-16 | God produces evident growth in those who seek Him diligently

v12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
v13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
v14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
v15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
v16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord
Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
Chuck Smith in his commentary on this passage: (not an exact quote) If you can think of any time in your life when you were following God more closely, then you are currently in a backsliden state

Timothy’s progress should be evident to all
We can prepare, but when it comes down to actions it’s up to God for our preparations to take effect or not
Nothing we do is of effect unless the Lord makes it so

If we make evident progress, it’s because God’s doing the work in our life
Timothy would make evident progress if he were to
- meditate on the things Paul said, and to
- give himself entirely to them
God produces evident growth in us when we seek Him diligently
- This should be the norm
- If others don’t see evident progress in you, you’re not seeking God diligently. Repent! Turn to Him! Seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!

God produces evident growth in those who seek Him diligently