Acts 16:1-5 gives us a clear picture of GRACE MEANING FURTHERING GOD’S KINGDOM AND NOT OUR FREEDOMS!
Look at the irony of this as Timothy went with Paul and Silas sharing the wonderful glorious truth that salvation was by grace and not circumcision. And what was the sign that Timothy got that? Well the sign was that he had gotten grace was that he got circumcised so that they would be more receptive to the message! And look here it worked. You see if you really understand grace then you realize that it’s not about you it’s about God and His kingdom! The outcome we are told here is that the Churches were literally made solid or stable in the faith. Look at this again it does not say that they were made solid in programs, hype or any of the other so called tried and true methods of Church growth. No they were made solid in the FAITH, which is the teaching of the Word. The outcome of a strong and healthy Church was that God added to their number daily! Pastor Chuck was fond of saying, “Healthy sheep will reproduce healthy sheep!”
So looking over these five verses I see a fourfold prescription for spiritual growth:
Vs. 1-2 DISCIPELSHIP: As Paul saw Timothy he took him under his wing and began to work with him. Folks this is the best thing anyone can do to grow in Christ, get with an older, more mature believer and hang out and learn from them.
Vs. 3 DENY SELF: As Timothy submitted to the act of circumcision he was cutting away his own flesh with its self-interest. You will see no further spiritual growth in your life until you deny yourself.
Vs. 4 DEPEND ON JESUS: They brought the letters of the leadership that stated the righteousness was upon trusting in Jesus and not our works. So we too must continue to learn to trust in Jesus in everything we do and not ourselves.
Vs. 5 DIG INTO THE WORD:As the Word was shared these Christians became more stable. Paul would later encourage this same Timothy with the words, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Folks, spiritual growth can’t happen apart from getting into the Word of God.