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1 Timothy 1:18 " This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,"
The prophecies that stated the gifts, strengths and abilities of Timothy were valued by Paul. By referring to them in a positive way Paul indicated that he had evaluated them with care, in accordance with his own teaching:
1 Corinthians 14:29 "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."
Paul highly estimated prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). He held on to what was good (1 Thessalonians 5:21), an essential principle to follow when working with your prophecies. Timothy would be greatly encouraged by the endorsement of the predictions as words spoken by the Holy Spirit. He would open up to the enlightening edification, exhortation and strength intended (1 Corinthians 14:3), causing reception inwardly and in time needed realisation in fulfillment.
It is possible that Paul's directives to Timothy, would be very much in line with the "prophecies previously made." Paul did know that prophecy had revealed that Timothy had gifts more than equal to the tasks he was expected to accomplish. Paul had witnessed the revealed abilities of Timothy at work, and had affirmed their development to the Philippians:
Philippians 2:22 " But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel."
Paul claimed Timothy was so like-minded to himself that to have Timothy with them at Philippi was equivalent to himself being present (Philippians 2:20). Paul's father heart rejoiced in a son in the faith whose ministry so reflected his own. The "previous prophecies" had probably indicated that Timothy's ministry would be like Paul's, that is why the directive he gave Timothy required work that Paul would do himself if he was present. Timothy was to "charge" those who were teaching wrong doctrine, and inciting disputes, distracting from the central message of the gospel (1 Timothy 1:3, 10-11).
To obey this directive Timothy had to activate his prophetic leadership ability, and exercise his teaching gift and authority as a messenger of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Working with proven prophecies ensures a boast in confidence in being equipped to accomplish the appointed work, irrespective of personal feelings of timidity and inadequacy. The directives of prophecy should not only be carefully thought through, they need to be seriously carried out.
Exhortation is an element of prophecy (Cf 1 Corinthians 14:3). There is no doubt that Paul in writing Timothy, was carried along by the Holy Spirit. Every exhortation in both epistles bear's the stamp of the Holy Spirit.
Exhortation as prophecy can be illustrated from many verses in these inspired letters. We limit ourselves to examples from 1 Timothy 1:5,
1 Timothy 1:5 " Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,"
The following order will be followed: State a particular exhortation. Give a prophecy illustration and personal evaluation, with practical application. The basis of each exhortation will be found in 1 Timothy 1:5.
Make love the aim of all ministry. The ministry before Timothy was to charge those who taught wrong doctrine, but as with all ministry the purpose is love (agape).
Let the love of God flow through your ministry. Even when it is your duty to challenge or correct, always be concerned for the spiritual welfare of those you minister to even when they resent your efforts or misrepresent your motives. Always serve out of selfless love. In this way you will be faithful to the Lord who purchased your redemption, and be true to God's Word.
The true purpose for all ministry is love. Being a channel of God's love is the highest form of service and the most effective. Reaching out in selfless love greatly benefits others. Christ is magnified in the lives of those whose serving purpose is love.
Apply the purpose of love to all you do. Be careful not to correct for self advantage or self interest. Your fervent concern should be the spiritual advancement, and increased love of those you counsel. A lavish supply of God's love has been given (Romans 5:8) for you to use. Be true to the example of Jesus. Be a trustworthy example to those you lead.
Minister love out of a pure heart. Timothy is reminded that the love of God is to spring out of a pure heart.
Pouring rain continuing for weeks causes the river to overflow its banks. When the river is contaminated it infects the land, spreading its contamination and rubbish. In spite of costly and laborious efforts there can be permanent damage. By living the cleansed life and having your heart filled with the love of God, you overflow and flood people with love of the purest kind. See that you guard your heart with all diligence in dependence on the Holy Spirit who lives in you, then you will irrigate the weak and struggling.
Ministry of love out of a pure heart is possible, having been cleansed (Revelation 1:5). When we were unclean, we contaminated (1 Corinthians 6:11). To keep our heart pure we must live in the light according to the Lord's standard. "As He" "Himself" (1 John 1:7). It is from the clean heart that His pure love flows; it brings healing and wholeness to those within reach of the overflow.
Submit your inner life to the control of the Holy Sprit. Live your life in the light of the Lord and His Word, not by worldly standards, or what is acceptable to others. Offer you spirit and soul to the control of His love continuously. Check regularly the quality of the love overflow from your heart by the description of love (agape) in 1 Corinthians 13.
Please the Lord by actions flowing from a good conscience. Timothy was exhorted that love is from good conscience, the love will then be properly exercised.
All your service of love needs to be exercised from good conscience, only possible by letting your conscience be produced by the Word of God, and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Keep your conscience from being the shifting, unstable kind that is subject to changing human reason that leads to easily practising double standards. From the inner life of a good conscience come good deeds and service pleasing to the Lord, void of offence toward God and man.
Love in the way God loves springs from a good conscience - a conscience from a regenerated spirit in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and instructed in the Scriptures. Defective love has the element of worldliness, selfishness, and misalignment with God's Word.
Make sure you understand how a good conscience originates. Admit that it is only with God's help that God's pure love can be lived out. Develop your fellowship with God's Holy Spirit who is indwelling your human spirit. Spend time reading and applying the Word of God to every aspect of your life.
Let love be the bi-product of genuine faith. Love that is untainted springs from "sincere" (anupokritos) unhypocritical "faith".
Your love will be genuine in its actions when it has as its foundation sincere faith. Your faith in the self-sacrifice of Jesus will reproduce in you loving self- giving that seeks nothing for yourself. Faith in your Lord's self-emptying will work in you humility in serving others in need. As you hold to the truth as it is seen in Jesus, it produces genuine love in action. Those who are occupied with controversial questions and speculations, pretending faith, shut up themselves from being channels of God's love.
Sincere faith held by you will be revealed in your deeds that practise the faith. Hypocritical pretended persuasions ONLY produce endless speculative discussion and uncertainty. Genuine faith produces the fruit of Christlikeness, and self giving in service.
Feed yourself always on the living Word of God. It produces real faith. Refuse to entertain speculative teachings that lead to pride and hypocritical faith. Expect to see your faith in the Lord Jesus spring forth in His love actions through you. Respond with obedience to exhortation prophesies - they are spurs to achieving God's purposes, and your faith will be evidently real.