Protecting God-Centered Beliefs

 

“Protecting God-Centered Beliefs”

Spiritual Leadership in the Church Series

1 Tim 1:18-20

THEME: Faithfully fulfill the ministry committed to your charge.

RELEVANCE: discouraging and difficult tasks should not be permitted to force us to abandon the ministry committed to us.  We must be steadfast and faithful to our charge to keep the faith by teaching sound doctrine, proclaiming the Gospel, and defending the Faith.

INTRODUCTION:

In 1 Tim 1 Paul explained the three responsibilities of a pastor and people in a local church. Accordingly, he gave Timothy a third responsibility to fulfill besides teaching sound doctrine and proclaiming the Gospel…defending the Christian Faith.

MESSAGE:

Defend the Faith (1 Tim. 1:18-20).

·       From the high point of praise to God, Paul turned his attention back to Timothy. This young preacher faced a difficult challenge in the church at Ephesus, but Paul knew he could handle the situation. What Timothy needed in the meantime was encouragement and wise instructions.

·       Like a coach preparing his eager young fighter for the match of his life, Paul put an imaginary arm around Timothy's shoulders and passed on a few last-minute instructions.

A.  ON THE BASIS OF DIVINE APPOINTMENT. (1Tim. 1:18)

1. A Reminder that He Was Under Orders.  “This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy”

                    a. A Charge for the Soldier.

·       Again, Paul used military language to enforce his statement, for the word "charge" (1 Tim 1:18) means "an urgent command handed down from a superior officer" (1 Tim 1:3).

·       These instructions (see 1Tim.1:3,5) refer to the job Timothy was sent to do in Ephesus -- that is, quieting the false teachers.

·       Paul was expressing again his confidence in entrusting Timothy with an important ministry. Further instruction for Timothy's work in the church is given in the remainder of this letter.

·       How Important Is Trust When Encouraging Others?

1.    “A key to empowering others is high belief in people. …The truth is that empowerment is powerful—not only for the person being developed, but also for the mentor. Enlarging others makes you larger. Dan has made me better than I am, not just because he helped me achieve much more than I could have done on my own, but also because the whole process made me a better leader. That is the impact of the Law of Empowerment.” ---Maxwell, J. C.

2.    What Motivates People? 

o   Significant contributions. People want to join in a group or pursue a cause that will have lasting impact. They need to see that what they are doing is not merely wasted effort but is making a significant contribution. People must see value in what they are doing. Motivation comes not by activity alone, but by the desire to reach the results.

o   Goal participation. People support what they create. Being part of the goal-setting process is motivating and it allows people to feel needed. They like to feel they are making a difference. When people have given input, they have a stake in the issue. They own it and support it. Seeing goals become reality and helping to shape the future is fulfilling. Goal participation builds team spirit, enhances morale, and helps everyone feel important.

o   Positive Dissatisfaction. Someone said that dissatisfaction is the one-word definition for motivation. Dissatisfied people are highly motivated people, for they see the need for immediate change. They know something is wrong and often know what needs to be done. Dissatisfaction can inspire change or it can lead to a critical spirit. It can lead to apathy or stir one to action. The key is harnessing this energy toward effective change.

o   Recognition. People want to be noticed. They want credit for personal achievements and appreciation for their contributions. Often giving recognition is another way of saying thanks. Personal accomplishment is motivating, but it is much more so when someone notices the accomplishment and gives worth to it. Recognition is one way to give meaning to a person’s existence. 

o   Clear expectations. People are motivated when they know exactly what they are to do and have the confidence that they can do it successfully. No one wants to jump into a task that is vague or a job whose description is uncertain. Motivation rises in a job when the goals, expectations, and responsibilities are clearly understood. When delegating responsibility, be sure to give the necessary authority to carry out the task. People perform better when they have some control over their work and their time.

                    b. Some Care for the Son. (1 Tim 1:18) “my son Timothy”

1.    Paul kept in mind the relationship he shared with Timothy and assured young Timothy that the elder's instructions were based on his love for him.

2.    Fred Smith says, “Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated.” That will only happen when you climb to the second level of influence.

o   “In my book, Be a People Person, I continually emphasize that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

o   Leadership begins with the heart, not the head. It flourishes with a meaningful relationship, not more regulations.”  –J. Maxwell

3.    Leaders on the “position” level often lead by intimidation.

·       They are like the chickens that Norwegian psychologist T. Schjelderup-Ebbe studied in developing the “pecking order” principle that today is used to describe all types of social gatherings.

o   Schjelderup-Ebbe found that in any flock one hen usually dominates all the others. She can peck any other without being pecked in return. Second comes a hen that pecks all but the top hen, and the rest are arranged in a descending hierarchy, ending in one hapless hen that is pecked by all and can peck no one. Cocks do not normally peck hens, but they have their own pecking order. So a breeding flock usually has two hierarchies, one for each sex.

4.    In contrast this is a person on the “permission” level will lead by interrelationships. The agenda is not the pecking order but people development.

·       On this level, time, energy, and focus are placed on the individual’s needs and desires. A wonderful illustration of this truth is found in the story of Henry Ford in Amitai Etzioni’s book, Modern Organizations: “He made a perfect car, the Model T, that ended the need for any other car. He was totally product-oriented. He wanted to fill the world with Model T cars. But when people started coming to him and saying, ‘Mr. Ford, we’d like a different color car,’ he remarked, ‘You can have any color you want as long as it’s black.’ And that’s when the decline started.”

5.    “People who are unable to build solid, lasting relationships will soon discover that they are unable to sustain long, effective leadership. … Needless to say, you can love people without leading them, but you cannot lead people without loving them.”  --- J. Maxwell

2. A Reminder of His Supernatural Calling.  “According to the prophecies which went before on thee”

A. Paul Also Reminded Timothy That God Had Chosen Him For this Ministry.

·       Apparently, some of the prophets in the local assemblies had been led by the Spirit to select Timothy for service (see Acts 13:1-3 for an example of this procedure). .

·       The word for “which went before” means “previously made and leading the way to,” implying that a series of prophecies had been given about Timothy in connection with his receiving his spiritual gift (see 1Tim. 4:14). These prophecies specifically and supernaturally called Timothy into God’s service.

                    B.  Other Believers Also Recognized Timothy as God’s Choice for this Ministry!

·       Paul made it clear, however, that his choice of Timothy was not made solely on the basis of their friendship or his hunches about Timothy's abilities.

·       Other believers had noted qualities in Timothy that Paul was happy to affirm and to put to work for the gospel.

·       Some have suggested two possibilities for these previous prophecies about Timothy:

o   (1) These were Old Testament promises prophesied by the prophets, promises that Timothy claimed.

o   (2) These were prophetic utterances at Timothy's ordination (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim 4:14).

o   It seems likely that the "prophecies" refer to Timothy's ordination. Paul highly valued the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:1). Through prophecy, important messages of warning and encouragement came to the churches. Timothy had been set apart for ministry when elders laid their hands on him (see 1Tim. 4:14). This was not an ordination service as we think of it today. This was probably a "commissioning" for missionary activity rather than an ordination into a church office.

o   Apparently at Timothy's "commissioning," several believers had prophesied about his gifts and strengths. These words from the Lord must have encouraged Timothy throughout his ministry. We can only guess who gave the prophecies and what they said; in any case, Paul reminded Timothy of these statements to encourage him.

C. The Reminder of Divine Appointment Assures the Servant through the Difficulties.

·       It was not easy to serve God in pagan Ephesus, but Timothy was a man under orders, and he had to obey.

·       The soldier's task is to "please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim 2:4), and not to please himself.

·       Furthermore, Timothy was there by divine appointment: God had chosen him and sent him. It was this fact that could give him assurance in difficult days.

·       If you are God's servant called by the Spirit, obeying His will, then you can "stay with it" and finish the work.

3. A Reminder of His Duty as a Warrior.  “that thou by them mightest war a good warfare”

A. These Assurances Enabled Timothy To War The Good Warfare.

·       By following this charge and these prophecies Timothy would be enabled to fight the good fight. Timothy was to hang on to these two immediate sources of reinforcement as he carried out his tasks: Paul's instructions and the prophecies from other believers.

B. This Warfare is Against the Spiritual Enemies of Christ! (1Tim. 1:18)

·       war a good warfare. Paul urged Timothy to fight the battle against the enemies of Christ and the gospel. Cf. 2 Cor. 10:3–5; 2 Tim. 2:3,4; 4:7.

·       Paul employed a military metaphor to describe Timothy's work in Ephesus; it would indeed be a fight, but victory would achieve the good of the believers and the church -- it was the worthwhile fight of the faith.

·       We are reminded of Paul's words to Timothy as Paul neared death, "I have fought a good fight" (2 Tim 4:7).

·       Paul often used military language to refer to our spiritual struggle (see Eph 6:11-16; 1 Thess 5:8; 2 Tim 2:3).

C. Some Have Forgotten or Forsaken the Fight for the Faith!

·       Now another philosophy has arisen. It was voiced recently by an independent, fundamental Baptist mission leader. The statement was made, "I am a fundamentalist but I am tired of fighting." Which really is to say, "I want to be a passive Fundamentalist. My question is, Has the devil gotten tired of fighting the Church and hindering the work of God? Has Satan and the Church signed a peace treaty? Has the conflict between righteousness and evil been settled? Can we retreat from the field of battle and lay aside our armor?

·       I am told in Ephesians 6:11, "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." A close look at the parts of armor described makes one realize that God is not dressing us for a "pajama party." God has conscripted us to stand for His cause and has not given me any mustering out date this side of death or the Rapture.

·       Are the New Testament words that warn of conflict and spiritual warfare obsolete and not applicable for our day? Has Satan ceased his hostility toward the Church?

·       Listen to Paul, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18). "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called" (1 Tim. 6:12). "Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:3). "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Cor. 10:4).

·       Who is the man who wrote this fighting language? The same man who said, "Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn everyone night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31). This same man said, "I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart, for I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh" (Rom. 9:2,3). This man Paul was a courageous soldier and at the same time a compassionate soul winner.

·       Are Paul's words just for his day? I think not. I read in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Yes, the battle still goes on.

·       What prompted Isaac Watts to pen those beloved words,

·       "Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause, or blush to speak His name? Must I be carried to the skies, on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend of grace, to help me on to God? Surely, I must fight, if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord. I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word."

·       A "Passive Fundamentalist" is a contradiction to the Word of God.--- (Allen Dickerson, "Passive Fundamentalism," Maranatha Baptist Watchman)

 

 

Rightly Treasuring Others!

Visit any news venue and within minutes you will be convinced the world is completely devoid of kindness, consideration, or tenderness. Human beings seem to be devolving into something less human with every news report and every click of the remote or mouse. Yesterday my wife asked her father if he had seen any “good news” on TV today. His response was a solemn and reasoned “No….it is all bad news anymore.” He went on to mention the terrorist group ISIS responsible for a number of recent beheadings asserting themselves as a force to be reckoned with internationally. Indeed they pose a threat to the Middle East and every country from whence they have effectively recruited and trained terrorist. A rash of new terrorist attacks will follow as these trainees return to their respective countries. Under their influence killing, fear, and barbarism reign!

This sadly is not where the barbarism ends though. It has emerged in supposed sophisticated societies in the forms of rape, sex trafficking, abortion on demand, wife beating, serial killings, city gang wars, abductions, protracted drug cartel clashes, homicide after homicide, and the list goes on seemingly endlessly with yet another example of gross inhumanity. Have we completely lost the ability to treat people like unique creations of God who bear His image? Have we forgotten that human beings are intrinsically endowed with worth and value by their Creator? Is it possible to reestablish a society that actually values each human life?

GENTLENESS IS RIGHTLY TREASURING OTHERS….

The fifth gracious quality of the character of Christ to be explored is “gentleness.” Paul, the writer of Galatians says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). Again spiritual fruit is purely the production of the Spirit as we Believers yield ourselves to God. It may surprise you to learn that “gentleness” is actually “usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor)” according to James Strong (1890, p. 78). That is, our character or essential personality is made honorable and ethical as we trust God for this grace. Actually the word focuses our attention on the inner disposition, but not necessarily the associated acts of goodness it inspires.  Furthermore, Spiros Zodhiates (1993) in The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament says of gentleness, “It is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would have been harsh and austere.” This of course is the opposite of being intense, extreme, or severe. This fantastic inner quality is further defined as being harmless like a dove and truly tenderhearted.  Fairness, moderation, and clemency are also great synonyms for gentleness. Regarding interactions with others, gentleness involves sincere expressions of equity/justice and consideration. In a manner of speaking, gentleness is rightly treasuring others.

As you may have already concluded, a gentle Believer is free from needless roughness, discreet while employing sternness, measured when making assertions, thoughtful in speech, and considerate in actions. Typically gentle Christians are slow to make use of any form of violence or force. It is not that they cannot serve on a police force, in the military, or as part of the FBI with excellence; they simply do not operate predominantly from the position of force. Gentle Believers are marked with a moderate/mellow disposition; this translates into a demeanor that is cordial, congenial, and cool-headed. Beloved, high social considerations for the welfare of others are good hallmarks to aim for. This is the Christian doctor with an excellent bedside manner, a godly lawyer who serves for real justice respecting the statues of the law, and a nursing home care-giver who handles the elderly and fragile residents with tenderness and understanding. Gentleness reminds us of a nursing mother with her much beloved suckling, the tender ways of a wise old farmer with his favorite but aging Clydesdale, or the manner in which a loving father trains his only son. Gentle people truly treasure others and treat them as such!

Gentleness will manifests itself by goodwill rooted in the heart much like God possesses toward humanity. He typically sends rain and sunshine to the benefit of the just and unjust persons indiscriminately (Matt 5:45). Gentle Believers treat others well in what they say and they interact with others employing tender carefulness and thoughtfulness. We are to even evidence gentleness toward those who are undeserving and guilty of treating others unkind.  Still yet, while facing the gnawing pain of rejection, the gentle soul responds in character and refuses to lash out in revenge. Accordingly, the Spirit produces chivalrous qualities like thoughtfulness, politeness, graciousness, consideration, and understanding in the yielded believer. This quality describes the overworked pastor/biblical counselor who minister to a rape victim delicately and individually no matter how many cases they have counseled before. Yet again he blocks off time on his busy calendar to sensitively help yet another soul who has been violently violated. It is the social worker who still dares to look into a foster child’s eyes realizing they are more than just another case, but a highly valued life stoked with raw potential. Though placing children in foster homes has been her employment for over twenty years, she still finds herself weeping silently on occasions. I see gentleness in the response of a single father to his only fifteen year old daughter. “Daddy…I’m pregnant” she blurts out through tears and quivering lips. Instead of harshly scolding her while kicking her out of the house in rage, he gently embraces and assures her while fighting back his own tears. Deep inside he blames himself for not being there for her…but they desperately needed the extra money from his second job in order to make rent. Beyond any argument, gentleness is supernatural! It must stem from a person with a Spirit-tendered heart.  Once again LaHaye (1966, p. 51) observed, “The hurrying, bustling and pressurized life we live tend to make even some of the finest Christians annoyed at the interruptions of “the little people.” Without the influence of the Spirit even good Believers will become needlessly insensitive and harshly inconsiderate.

Characteristically, gentleness includes the inclination to forgive others. As Spirit-filled Christians, we must refuse to hold a grudge or harbor resentful feelings toward an offender. Through our Lord Jesus Christ we have the power to respond with tenderness while under great personal strain or pressure.

Gentleness is probably a strange trait to many since our culture is highly impressed with selfish advancement and individualism above all else. Neil Wilson’s (2000) book The Handbook of Bible Applications affords this very helpful insight into our contrary cultural values and vices.

“Jealousy and selfish ambition” are inspired by the devil. It is easy for us to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures of society and sometimes even by well-meaning Christians. By listening to the advice: “Assert yourself. . . . Go for it. . . . Set high goals,” we can be drawn into greed and destructive competitiveness. Seeking God’s wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to want what they have. 

In addition since God is gentle toward sinners (2Cor. 10:1; Js. 3:17), Christians should display this same virtue (1Thess. 2:7; 2Tim. 2:24; Tit. 3:2; 1Pet. 2:18). While there is not even a hint of encouragement for condoning sin, redemption and restoration are equally valued by gentle Believers. It was James who said the wisdom of God is distinguished by gentleness, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:17-18). Gentle people are experts at handling others with ‘kid’s gloves.’ They are masters of the ‘velvet gloves’ treatment, but remain free of sinful manipulations for personal advantage. Gentleness undeniably excludes a Christian from behaving selfishly forceful, competitively coarse, or needlessly insensitive when interacting with others.

Boaz’s dealings with Ruth in Ruth 3:7-15 is a good example of gentleness. She entered the threshing floor late at night and waited at his feet to proposition him with a marriage interest and option.  This was fully consistent with Naomi’s advice, the Law of Moses (Deut. 25:5–10), and the customs of Israel. Boaz responded with thoughtfulness and courtesy. He behaved like a gentleman. Understanding her proposition, he immediately blessed Ruth, commended her, praised her, protected her honor, sought her security, and made provision for her needs.  Boaz fleshed out sensitivity, thoughtfulness, consideration and old-fashioned gentleness. MacDonald and Farstad (1995, p. 291) drew a fantastic parallel from this passage to the believer in Christ Jesus in the Believer's Bible Commentary.

This assured Ruth of his deep love and gave evidence to Naomi that he would follow through on the matter without delay. Ruth was a noble woman, intrinsically worthy of Boaz’s kindnesses. But we were unworthy sinners. Yet the Lord spread His covering over us and took us as we were. He has loaded us with gifts and encouraged us with His promised return to consummate the marriage. Our salvation is settled, a finished work. But entrance into the full bliss of our union awaits the Bridegroom’s return. 

Gentleness as tender kindness is perhaps best explained in the attitude of the Lord Jesus toward little children (Mark 10:14; Luke 18:15-17). Christ’s gentle spirit is contrasted with the disciples’ rather cruel attitude toward the children who were brought to Him. As this episode unfolded the Lord Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mk. 10:14).  The disciples viewed themselves and the Lord as either too important or too busy to be bothered with such minor affairs. Christ Jesus on the other hand made time for the ‘little people.’ He expressed genuine interest in their desires, afforded them His undivided attention, and left them in an improved state because of His personal touch and blessing. The persons in need were not treated like a burden to Him; they were not merely tolerated but secretly resented and unwanted. Christ cherished no concept of Himself as being too important or too busy to be considerately gentle to the disadvantaged. More Christians should cultivate this Christlike quality through serious submission to the Spirit.

Finally gentleness provides an atmosphere for others to mature. Think of how a good mother handles her newborn in the nursery. Such an environment is conducive to growing under special care. Though this grace is not cherished in society it is nevertheless incredibly valuable. Many people esteem power and self-assertiveness because such behaviors enable them to establish themselves as respectable. This evidences itself in millions of ways in a highly materialistic culture where individualism is a strong value. However, this results in pushing others around, justifying abject cruelty in the name of ‘good business,’ steamrolling over whoever gets in the way of securing another promotion, and loudly reminding others of one’s authority, rank, superiority and advantages.  Threats and intimidation are standard procedures in that environment. Such should never be the case for us who follow Jesus Christ.

That is correct; through the Spirit of Christ, it does not have to be that way. How wonderful to come into a climate where gentleness is highly valued. In this scenario love can spring into action. Allowance is afforded for needed growth. Understanding is generously poured out to the disadvantaged without belittling them. Selfless consideration of co-workers and addressing the needs of others become viable practical approaches to problem solving. There is an allowance of time for the other person to talk, and a willingness to learn, grow, explore, and discover together. Why do we not see the value and potential of treating others with gentleness?

Sadly much of the barbarism that plagues or modern highly sophisticated society will continue relatively unchecked. Unfortunately forms of rape, sex trafficking, abortion on demand, spousal abuse, serial killings, child abuse, gang wars, protracted drug cartel clashes, and homicide after homicide will continue as humanity ever spirals downward. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must not lose the ability to treat people like unique creations of God who bear His image! We must never forget how human beings are intrinsically endowed with worth and value by their Creator! By the grace of God in the Gospel, we must believe it is possible to reestablish a society that actually values each human life! We Christians must endeavor to maintain a Spirit-tendered heart and this will result in handling others with gentleness. It is not by becoming worldly, that we will have the greatest impact on our world. If we all subscribe to a dog eat dog philosophy we will only destroy each other. Trust God to give rise to more of this quality of gentleness in you. I am asking my Lord to do a work of grace in me also. If nice guys must finish last then so be it. Remember God said the first shall be last and the last shall be first in His kingdom. I believe God! We do not have to become cut-throats, vultures, and wolves lurking in the shadows to take advantage of another unwitting soul. Refuse to prey on people; choose to treasure them as God does. Beloved, learn from the Spirit of Grace how to rightly treasure others.

Five Keys to Handling God's Word

Five Keys to Handling God’s Word With Godly Competence

When we undertake to represent the Most High God and speak His eternal truth into the lives of others, we must demonstrate a certain level of competence to be taken seriously. Rest assured a Master of Divinity is not required to communicate God's truth more effectively! There are; however, some important measures we all must take to ensure God's message is transferred to others with the designs God intended. Though this article is not comprehensive, it does afford foundational instructions and principles that are always applicable to Christian servants desiring to handle the Bible faithfully.

• ·      Value It—appreciate and love God’s Word above all things knowing it is true and supremely beneficial to us as we adhere to its instructions. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128, Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. 129, Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130, The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Ps. 119:127-130)
• ·      Study It—train in the Word with great interest to please God, and to share it most effectively with others. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15)
• ·      Think It—contemplate deeply upon the Word to mature and explore new territory in Christ, to obey/practice clearly established Bible teachings, and to protect ourselves and our people from errors. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1 Tim. 4:15-16)
• ·      Use It—gently and patiently teach and instruct the wayward and stumbling the Word hoping for their repentance and eventual liberation from satanic lies. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26, And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Tim. 2:24-26)
• ·      Trust It—know and trust the discerning and penetrating power of the Word to reveal, expose, and evaluate our motives and desires. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

Any genuine Christian who takes these pointers seriously will excel in their ability to communicate Christ’s precious truth to others with competence. Because we do not believe anything is good enough for Jesus, we take pains to ensure our very best efforts are rendered in His service. Christ deserves our utmost! May our ministry of the Word always honor Him! 

Continuing Faithfully

 Continuing incessantly…persisting repeatedly! This is the healthy attitude and discipline of those Believers who go the farthest exploring the wonders and treasures of Christ. While spiritual maturation is largely accomplished by the Spirit's effective use of the Word in our lives, there is yet the need for genuine commitment and diligence on our part as the people of God. God never devalues discipline and perseverance in the Word; actually He elevates and highlights it as a desirable quality repeatedly (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 5:23; Titus 1:8; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:6). Now notice what God said in this regard to the nation of Israel.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2, Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3, Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. 4, He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. (Lev. 24:1-4)

Keeping the purest oil in the lamp, and ensuring the lamp is always burning (providing light in the Tabernacle) in the Presence of the LORD is what God required. Obedience to this regulation demanded precision, exactitude, unfailing faithfulness, commitment, and a deep respect for the privilege of service so close to the symbols of the very presence of God. In order to obey this command, Israel and the priests specifically had to be painstakingly faithful.

Sometimes Believers espouse a notion that growth into Christ's image is automatic over the process of time and the Believer rather passively arrives at greater maturity. Again it is true the actual growth is effectuated by God, but the Believer must cooperate, extend effort, invest themselves, sacrifice, deny the flesh, make weighty decisions, investigate the Word, yield more of their time, energy, treasure, and strength to this end. When we recognize that the grace of God is at work in us and through us this does not promote less diligence and commitment. No, it demands our finest efforts as we venture in concert with God's work in us (Phil. 2:12-13). Consider Paul's statement 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” His service and spiritual progress were a product of God's efforts mingled in a fantastic way with his own diligence--a concerted effort and not a solo.

Among other things, the Spirit of God’s ministry of illumination is portrayed by these symbols (Lev. 24:1-4) so common to the Tabernacle service of Israel long ago. The Spirit helps Believers understand the Word and appreciate the essential weight of the spiritual wealth availed to us (Jn. 14:17, 26; 1 Cor. 2:9-16). He enables us to grasp what is entirely important to God even when we human beings naturally have no use for the idea, concept, or truth! As students of the Spirit and His Word our souls are renovated and filled with the treasures of God's wisdom! How blessed we are to be on the campus of this university! We must faithfully look to Him to correctly perceive, grasp, and appraise spiritual matters as we execute the will of God. This is why we are challenged repeatedly to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16), and be "led of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:18), and encouraged to pray "in the Holy Ghost," (Jude 20). It is the expressed ministry of the Spirit of God to lead us Believers as we explore God's truth (1 Cor. 2). Beloved, this is the finest education in the universe. We do not merely learn how to make a living (which is a good thing), but we are trained in how to live for all eternity! Now, this is the greatest thing. Too often we settle for the good and never venture to embrace the great.

Yes, as a perceptive Believer you understand this is a grand and peerless opportunity being afforded each of us. But, before we can do this we must examine ourselves to ensure we are ready to proceed. Ask yourself these probing questions. Do I habitually value or under-value the privileges of knowing, approaching, and serving God? Do I take holy opportunities for granted or possibly hold them in contempt? Do I casually dismiss responsibilities God considers vital? Would I be comfortable with God treating me, the way I routinely treat Him? Obviously, faithful devotion is roundly important to our great God; this fact cannot be denied. But, is such persevering consecration something I value?