DEMONSTRATING TRUTH WORKS
Thursday, July 31, 2014
1Timothy [GW] 4:10-15 [Paul exhorting Timothy] Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live
a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the
Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Insist on these things
and teach them. Don't let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead,
make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other
believers. Until I get there, concentrate on reading Scripture in worship,
giving encouraging messages, and teaching people.
Don't
neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders
placed their hands on you to ordain you. Practice these things. Devote your
life to them so that everyone can see your progress.
2Timothy [GW] 2:1-2 [Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy] My child, find your source
of strength in the
kindness of Christ
Jesus. You've heard my message, and it's been confirmed by many witnesses.
Entrust
this message to
faithful individuals who will be competent to teach others.
Jonah was an
angry resentful believer resisting the will of God for the people of Niniveh.
Under severe duress, with great reluctance he delivered God’s Truth. Those
hearing repented. Was it because of Jonah’s eloquence and friendly orations?
Not at all, for regardless of whom or how delivered “… the Word of God is
living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the
dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in His sight, but all things are naked and opened
to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” (MKJV Heb.4:12-13; also note
1Cor.2:4)
This is not
however to say demeanor doesn’t matter in or relationship with the Lord. It
does.
Yesterday on Facebook Keith Jenkins shared
something that addresses the need for mature Christian demeanor for those who
tell the Good News. It was, as with Paul to young Timothy, written by an older
pastor to a new young pastor. Here it is as spoken to my heart.
- Let God speak to me through His Book.
- Lead by precept and example.
- Have a thick skin.
- Have a tender heart.
- Be teachable.
- Strong backbone matters.
- Be of diplomatic manner.
- Be willing to be corrected.
- Have and show reverent respect for the things of God.
- Recognize my inadequacies and deny them not.Need we officially be a pastor on staff in a church for this list to matter for us before God? I think not. For “After all, Christ will judge each of us for the good or the bad that we do while living in these bodies.” (CEV 2Cor.5:10) EBB4
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