James 1:22-25 (NKJV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
In 1 Timothy 4:16, Paul, in exhorting Timothy, exhorts all disciples of Christ into intentionally assessing our lives and convictions against God’s Word for consistency. Just a few verses earlier, in verse 12, all disciples are to be a role model for others in speech, conduct, love, and in purity.
Thomas Doolittle, English nonconformist minister, tutor, and author, is quoted with saying, "We preach to people who must live forever... in heaven or hell, with God or devils, in an eternity of joy or of torment!”
Our lives serve as a commentary of our beliefs. Our truest heartfelt convictions are evidenced in our conduct!
Thomas Brooks, another English non-conformist Puritan preacher and author, is quoted with saying, “Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned with a heavenly life!”
He went on to say, "Oh what an honor is it to a faithful minister, when he has . . .
found the people dark and blind--but left them enlightened; found them dead--but left them alive; found them a proud people--but left them humble; found them a profane people--but left them holy; found them a carnal people--but left them spiritual; found them a worldly people--but left them heavenly; found them a wavering people--but left them settled and rooted. Oh, it is an honor to faithful ministers, when their people are like them . . . in knowledge, in wisdom, in love, in humility, in holiness!"
In 2 Corinthians 3:1-4 Paul wholeheartedly identifies with his wayward spiritual brothers and sisters as he encourages them to repentance when he states that they themselves are his letter of recommendation written on everyone's hearts, written by Christ, not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God.
Dear Christian reader, where and who is your letter? What does your conduct testify about your convictions? When considering your speech, conduct, love, and purity, can you be considered an acceptable role model for others to follow? Can you truly be called a "faithful minister," honestly bearing the label of Christ’s disciple?
CORAM DEO
No comments:
Post a Comment