in the Word of Cod, when you see inroads toward apostasy and hy pocrisy, do not rely on the normal or the common, standard answer. Our only hope is in godly living, filled with the Holy Spirit as we are guided more fully in our com mitment to Christ. How wonderful the Holy Spirit's provision for our lives amid a world of apostasy and unbelief. We have the eternal Word of Cod as our anchor and firm foundation. As an encouragement to Timothy, as well as to us, Paul writes, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Timothy 4:12). Everyone of us, who has ac cepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, is to be an example. We are to show forth all the qualities of Christian grace exhorted in Scripture. Can others see things in our daily lives which would mirror the Saviour for them? The challenge certainly is not just to young people. In the Creek, the word "ex ample" could also be translated "pattern" or even "image." If we want a final product to look like the original it will be necessary to trace it very carefully. If we do not adhere to this practice the end re sult will be a compounding of our errors. Many times a Christian lives a rather poor life, satisfying him self with the thought that he is at least a little better than some others he has known. Just then someone else may be falsely imitating him rather than Christ. There is then a fatal chain reaction of error. People are soon led astray into unbelief and rejection. Timothy was not being urged to be the focal point for all Christians. He was simply to
point the way as to how men could live in assurance and victory. They were not just to follow him, but to follow his example of being like Christ. As then, so also now, we are all influenced by others. Outstanding athletes are used on television to tout different commercial products. Young and old alike are urged to follow their example. This has some definite negative features to it! If we would affect others for Christ we must give careful dili gence to how we live our lives. We cannot follow people as such, but we can emulate their efforts to live godly lives. Only in this manner can the tide of apostasy be turned. The areas of need for being an example was in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith and purity. To day, perhaps more than ever be fore, we need some solid souls who will have a positive testimony as did Timothy in that day. The first suggestion for a proper witness is "in word." The term se lected in the original embraces not only the utterances but also the thoughts that prompt any verbal message. We, too, need to be told very positively, "guard your lan guage." It is so easy to be hypo- crital. Let your words spring from the heart, guided by the Holy Spirit. Of all the pollution we find in the world today, none is so devastating as being impure in one's thought life. Next is conversation , which means far more than a dialogue with someone. It represents our total behavior or conduct of life. A minister can be a very fine pulpit orator, but if at home he lives in a manner unbecoming a believer in Page 25
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs