From the Elder's Pen "Soundness Of Life" 2/9/03 Past/Future Articles

 Paul begins II Timothy by commending the early teachings Timothy received at home from his Mother and Grandmother.  Thus it was in the home that the groundwork was laid for that future structure of Christian character Timothy portrayed as he preached the Gospel of Christ.  It is the home that is responsible for training the child in the Word of God, a duty that cannot be delegated to the church or any other teacher or organization.
 Timothy was also taught by the Apostle Paul.  How much it must have meant to the young man Timothy to have such a teacher.  How much it means to the preacher of today to be trained by men of godly character, sound in the truth of Jesus Christ.  How much it means to the church, and especially the young men and women, to be guided in their religious thinking by those who are thoroughly trained and grounded in the Word of God and competent to present the whole truth.
 Paul not only instructed Timothy in soundness of doctrine, but he stressed soundness of life.  It is possible for one to be doctrinally correct, to hold views that are Biblically right, and then live in a way wholly contrary to those truths.  In other words, one’s life may be wholly at variance with one’s belief.
 In I Timothy the apostle emphasizes the need of combating error with a life that is the expression of the truth revealed in the Word of God.  The only Bible many people will ever read is the Bible as it appears in the true Christian’s life.  It assumes a living form and is easily understood by those who know very little of the bible itself.  It commends profoundly the truths of Christianity, and nothing is more convincing than the validity of these truths lived in a life that does justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly before God. (Micah 6:8)
 The way Timothy lived his life and rendered a service as a true follower of Christ established the divine character of the truth he preached and in which his life was grounded.  These truths were exemplified by his Christian character.  Paul admonished Timothy to be a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ, for he will not fight very valiantly for the truth he does not live.  A hypocritical life would constantly be getting in the way and tripping him.  A true life lived for Christ is the vindication of that which makes it true.  What Timothy will preach will be empowered and made mighty by what Timothy is.
 All through the years I have pondered how could a man “speak with tongues of men and of angels,” “have the gift of prophecy and understanding,” “bestow all his goods to feed the poor,” “give his body to be burned,” and it profit him nothing?  However it goes on in I Cor. 13 to tell us what it means to the Christian to live a consecrated life totally devoted to God.  Not just knowing what to preach, to teach, to do, or to tell, but doing and putting the “living oracles” of God the Father in our lives and living them.