Friday, March 25, 2022
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony” 3 John 11-12.
We become like those we associate with, and that can be good or bad. As is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'” Be careful who and what you hang with.
Discipleship is essentially imitation. Jesus' disciples spent three and a half years learning from Him and imitating Him. It was more than textbook learning; it was literally character development. The results are especially evident in Acts 4:13 "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."
Being "people of the Book," as is said of Bible students, is certainly important. We ought to be diligent students so as to discern between truth and error. But, a vital part of the Christian life is "walking the walk" - being truth-in-action people. This is best acquired through imitating those who are more mature.
Who has mentored you such that you have imitated their Christian lifestyle? Offer a word of thanks to God in prayer for them, and follow up with an expression of appreciation to them.
Who might you mentor that they might imitate and benefit from your maturity in the faith? Bring that before the throne of grace, ask that a name be impressed upon you, and then take action.
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” Hebrews 13:7.
Pastor Steve
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony” 3 John 11-12.
We become like those we associate with, and that can be good or bad. As is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'” Be careful who and what you hang with.
Discipleship is essentially imitation. Jesus' disciples spent three and a half years learning from Him and imitating Him. It was more than textbook learning; it was literally character development. The results are especially evident in Acts 4:13 "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."
Being "people of the Book," as is said of Bible students, is certainly important. We ought to be diligent students so as to discern between truth and error. But, a vital part of the Christian life is "walking the walk" - being truth-in-action people. This is best acquired through imitating those who are more mature.
Who has mentored you such that you have imitated their Christian lifestyle? Offer a word of thanks to God in prayer for them, and follow up with an expression of appreciation to them.
Who might you mentor that they might imitate and benefit from your maturity in the faith? Bring that before the throne of grace, ask that a name be impressed upon you, and then take action.
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” Hebrews 13:7.
Pastor Steve