¹²For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

As I became absorbed in the Word of God, I began to note that spiritual truths and concepts “leaped from the page.” Within moments of reading a text, with the right intent, I had principles to live by and share with others.

I had stumbled across some kind of spiritual gift. I couldn’t explain it other than that.

Ultimately through service in the church, and by placing myself under the wings of men more spiritual than me, I was chosen to serve as one of the “presbytery.” To demonstrate this calling to the church, I was publicly prayed over, and “hands” were placed on me.

Now I was responsible for the spiritual lives of the Body, i.e. the “salvation” of others. Primary to this calling was the readiness to teach the Word in and out of season.

So Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 4:14-16 have always seemed to have been spoken directly to me.

¹⁴Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. ¹⁵Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.