Bible Briefs

J O H N   W.   M O O R E ARE YOU BALANCED? Balance, Balance, Balance. Almost everywhere we turn we hear about the importance of balance. My wife says eat a balanced meal. My mechanic says to balance those tires. My banker says to balance that check book. My sons and their coaches stress a balanced attack. My brethren request balanced preaching. Balance is important. It’s necessary. Without it we are not nearly as successful, healthy, safe, or prudent. Without balance we end up teetering on an extreme and leaning toward disaster. Nowhere, however, are the results of balance more seriously addressed than in 1 Timothy 4:16. Here the apostle Paul told Timothy, a young evangelist, to fix attention upon himself and his doctrine for in so doing Timothy would save both himself and those that would listen to him. A proper balance between both doctrine and Christian living are essential for not only an evangelist, but for all that would name the name of Christ. It is not enough to just pray, worship regularly, visit the sick, or give to the poor. Attention must also be given to right doctrine about Christ (2 John v.9), the gospel (Galatians 1:8), marriage, the eating of meats (1 Timothy 4:1f), the resurrection (2 Timothy 2:16f), worship (Matthew 15:3) etc… If we profess to be a disciple of Christ, then we must continue in the word of Christ (John 8:31). If we teach for doctrine the commandments of men, then are we not imbalanced and unacceptable in the sight of God (Mark 7:6f)? Likewise, are we not imbalanced if we profess fidelity in doctrine yet lead lives that are full of extortion, adultery, lying, cruelty, drunkenness, slothfulness, gossip, hatred, and ill will (Galatians 5:19f)? Are we not dangling precariously if our speech is impure, we neglect our family, and our love is for money? Are we not teetering on the brink of disaster if we fail to visit the sick, feed the hungry, and take in the stranger (Matthew 25)? Indeed, both right doctrine and right living are demanded of those seeking to follow Jesus.