Topic(s): Christian Life

Everybody should learn lessons from young people. Paul told a young preacher named Timothy to be an “example of the believers…in faith” (1 Timothy 4:12) so that others could be better Christians because of Timothy’s example.

What do you think faith is? That’s a very important question for several reasons. Of course, you and I must have faith in Christ before we can be baptized (Mark 16:16, Mt. 28:19-20), and the Bible says that we cannot please God unless we have faith in Him (Heb. 11:6).

Paul wanted Timothy to have a faith to which other Christians could look to for strength and encouragement. What is that faith? Is it simply believing that God exists, even though you cannot physically see Him? Is it simply believing that Jesus existed as a man, even though you were not in Palestine to see Him while He was on earth? No, it is more than that.

If you have the faith of Paul and Timothy, you’ll not only believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit exist, but you’ll also have full confidence that God knows what’s best for you.

Samuel showed that kind of faith when he was working for Eli the High Priest in the tabernacle. Samuel believed in Eli enough to follow Eli’s instructions. Samuel believed in God enough to answer God by saying “Speak Lord, Thy servant heareth.”

Samuel believed that God wanted what was best for Him. Do you believe that God wants what’s best for you (1 Timothy 2:4)?

Many people don’t have enough faith to get up and go to church services on Sunday mornings, much less get up in the middle of the night like Samuel did. Many church members in America are such poor examples in faith that if the Lord called them at 3 a.m., they might tell the Lord to come back after breakfast.

Samuel had faith in God’s perfection (whatever God told Samuel to do was good enough for Samuel). Samuel had faith in God’s people (Samuel judged them all the days of his life, 1 Samuel 7:15). Samuel had faith in God’s plan (even when God’s plan included disaster for Eli’s family, Samuel never questioned it).

The faith that Paul wanted Timothy to have motivated Timothy to live according to the principles of the Bible. Just like Timothy and Samuel, we should be examples of the believers in faith.

—Caleb Colley
 

Examine Yourselves

Topic(s): Christian Life

Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...” (2 Corinthians 13:5). We all need to take time to look at our lives to see if we are living as God desires. I recently read a challenging poem which can help us “examine” ourselves.

Would I be called a Christian, if everybody knew
My secret thoughts and feelings, and everything I do?
Oh, could they hear Him speaking, in everything I say;
Are the words I utter proving, that I am of “the way”?
Would I be called a Christian, if everyone could know,
That I am found in places, that Jesus wouldn’t go?
Oh, could they hear His echo, in every song I sing;
In eating, drinking, dressing, would they see Christ my King?
Would I be called a Christian, if judged by what I read,
By all my recreations and every thought and deed?
Could I be counted Christ-like, as I now work and play;
Unselfish, kind, forgiving, to others everyday? —Author Unknown

Examine your mind. Is your mind the mind of Christ? Paul instructed, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).

Examine your mouth. Are our words becoming of a Christian? The Scriptures warn us many times about the danger of uncontrolled speech (Jas. 3:5-10).

Examine your morals. Does your behavior exhibit the morals of Christ or Satan? Our actions must show the world that we are people with Christian morals (Tit. 2:14).

The Toughest Judge 

Topic(s): Sin

A Buddhist story tells of a man who had lived wickedly and became very ill and near death. In the fever he had a dream, and in this dream he was conducted through the underworld to the hall of justice in which judges sat in curtained alcoves. He faced his judge, and was told to write his misdeeds upon a slate provided for that purpose. Sentence was then passed that he should be thrice struck by lightning for his sins. The curtain was drawn back, and he faced his judge, to find there seated the image of himself, and he realized that he had pronounced the verdict. All of us must face our own consciences, and should take pains to live so in accord with them, as they are educated by the Bible (Romans 14:21-23; cf. Acts 23:1).

Sermons We Can See  

Topic(s): Christian Life

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day.
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way.
The eye’s the better pupil, more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing but example is always clear.
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creed.
For to see the good in action is what everybody needs.
If you let me watch you do it I can see just how it’s done.
I can see your hands in action but your tongue too fast may run.
And the sermons you deliver may be very wise and true
But I’d rather get my lesson from observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give.
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live (read Mt. 5:14-16).