“Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes…” (1 Kings 2:2-3) 

            Father’s, how many times have you failed your son?  How many times has your advice been less about him and more about your own pride?  Or how many times have your failures made you feel inadequate to give advice at all?  Of all that Scripture testifies about concerning David, Israel’s greatest king and “a man after God’s own heart”, it never claims his greatness as a father.  In fact, in many ways, David’s greatest afflictions were his children.  Those difficulties were often consequences of his sinful actions.  I imagine due to instances in which he strayed from God’s will, failing to trust in a given moment, at times David must have felt unworthy to offer his children advice.  Do you share that feeling?  If past failures cause you to question your right, but more importantly, your sons need for godly advice, be encouraged.  Be encouraged because though David shares many like experiences with you and me, he never stayed in the place where guilt kept him from doing what God would have him do.  And you don’t have to either.  

            “Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes…” As David aged and neared death, it was Solomon, his son who would be Israel’s next king.  In this passage, David sought to encourage Solomon as he prepared to assume the throne.  He knew that the challenges Solomon would face would require bravery, but he also knew that blessing would only come by faithful obedience to the LORD. 

            If in all the advice you’ve given your son, you have never given the advice David gave Solomon in this passage, know that it’s never too late.  Although he lived the consequences of his past failures, David always pressed on, understanding the completeness of both God’s forgiveness and faithfulness in spite of his own lack of both at given moments.  You may be living the consequences of your past failures as a father.  If so, accept them and start anew.  Don’t miss the opportunity to leave your son with the most valuable advice you can give him.  Your responsibility is not that he accepts it; Solomon didn’t heed all of David’s.  It’s only that you give it.  It doesn’t take a perfect father to instill Christian values in a son.  It takes a committed father who begins each day asking his Heavenly Father for help.  So, tell your son to be strong, to show himself a man, to keep the charge of the LORD and walk in His ways.  And when he does, tell him to expect God’s blessing because our Heavenly Father keeps all His promises.

 Prayer

Father, failure is part of being an earthly father.  I admit my many failures through the years and thank you that you have given forgiveness.  Help me LORD to understand as David did how faithful you are in keeping your promises.  Help me to seek to be in fellowship with you each day so that the counsel I give my son will be in accord with your will.  Thank you for your grace and goodness each day. 

“O Lord, why have you done evil to this people?  Why did you ever send me?” (Exodus 5:22) 

            Never think for a moment that God’s call on your life will be easy.  Moses’ call was anything but easy.  Though receptive and faithful to God’s call, it didn’t mean Moses never questioned it.  In fact, it happened almost immediately when the LORD told him he was to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt.  But God was gracious to reassure Moses of His power, provision and presence each step of the way.  So with those promises, Moses returned to Egypt, went to Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go”.  Enslaved for four hundred years, was freedom in sight?  Was Moses the man to lead the salvation the LORD would bring Israel?  Upon Moses’ request for freedom, Pharaoh not only responded negatively, but then ordered the work to be made even more difficult.  This brought a response of anger and complaint from the Hebrew people, questioning Moses ability to lead them.  In turn, Moses complained to the LORD and questioned Him.  

            “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people?  Why did you ever send me?”  The Hebrew translation for evil is “trouble”.  From the very outset of Moses carrying out God’s call on his life, he encountered uncertainty and then questioned God.  Have you ever done that?  When God calls you, do you hesitate?  And when that call is great and consequences are difficult, do you question Him?  We often do.  When God calls you and your life is radically changed, you can count on two things:  First, people will doubt you; second, there will come a time, perhaps many, in which you will doubt yourself.  As we read about Moses as he led the Hebrew people, we know this occurred more than once.  When God calls a man or a woman, Satan is always there throwing up obstacles, creating doubt in an attempt to paralyze each of us from being used to further the kingdom of God.  But do you know what?  God is also there and you can count on Him to remove that obstacle in furthering His glory.  His call always comes with His promise to be with us.  We know the Bible’s testimony of Moses is a great one (Deuteronomy 34:10).  He was a great leader; he was humble, obedient and faithful.  But he was also a man, with all the faults of mere men.  He had moments in which he questioned and doubted God along the way.  You may too, but trust God’s power and purpose for your life and remember that the LORD has sent you.     

Prayer

Father, you are a gracious and loving God in using me even when I am so full of doubt in my ability to carry out what you have called me to do.  Help me remember that it’s not my ability that matters, but your purpose and power.  Forgive me when I hesitate before obeying and when I disobey altogether.  Thank you for the testimony of Moses’ faithful and obedient service.  By your power help me to be faithful to the call you’ve place on my life.  Thank you for grace each day as I live that calling.  Amen!

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22) 

             Galatians 5:22 identifies godly attributes or “fruit” that results from the Holy Spirit working in the lives of believers.  Just as the maturity levels of Christians differ, the degree of fruit bearing varies as well.  It has always been apparent to me that my uncle Pete was a very loving man.  He enjoyed a good time and you could just sense his joy being around him.  As a kid, I remember never being able to get too comfortable when he was around because I didn’t know what prank he might pull next.  I was the target of quite a few.  Though more infrequent as a result of me living so far away as an adult, he still played pranks.  My son, Logan was often the targeted recipient.  I speak about my uncle in the past tense because a year ago today, June 5, 2011, the Lord called him home.

             “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control…”  Paul’s purpose in writing Galatians was to deal with the false idea that a believer’s right standing before God was Jesus plus circumcision.  Today, this manifests as Jesus plus something (good works, baptism, church membership, etc.).  The true gospel is that salvation is found in Christ alone.  In this specific section of his letter, Paul contrasted the works of the flesh, works that result from fallen humanity, to that which result from being led by the Holy Spirit. 

            As people streamed by during the visitation to offer their condolences, there were numerous expressions about the love and kindness Pete had shown them.  Just as living distance had lessened the pranks, distance had also kept me uninformed of these things.  I knew the attributes described in this passage existed in my uncle, but it was not always clear as to their source.  That was until I saw it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears and felt it in my own heart.  Pete never claimed to be an Evangelist.  That’s not to say he shied away from conversations about the Lord.  I’m sure they occurred.  But what was evident to me from being at the visitation was that Pete lived out the implications of having Christ in his life.  Isn’t it the case that we testify more with our actions than with our lips simply because more people observe us than actually encounter us?  Make no mistake, there is plenty of room and need for both.  A godly testimony by our life often leads to an opportunity to testify with our lips.   

            Just as Pete himself was a gift in the lives of so many, the outpouring of love and expressions of gratitude for what he meant to others is a gift that the Lord left to those Pete loved the most.  Pete Leonard bore the fruit of the Spirit.  As with all Christians, some was seen and some wasn’t.  Let your life be filled with the Spirit of God that you may bear much fruit.  Don’t be concerned with how much is seen by others; just know that God sees it all.  He saw Pete’s and as He took him to his real home, where he will live forever, He allowed those that love Pete the most to have been blessed to see more than they might have imagined.  So though we love and miss him deeply, we know that it’s the Lord, the giver of all good gifts, we have to thank for having had Pete Leonard in our lives. Thank you God!   

 Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for the testimony of other people in our lives.  Thank you for people who love, who have joy and who express so much kindness to those they come into contact with.  Soften our hearts to the work of your Spirit in each of our lives.  Help us to live in your power each day that we would bear much fruit.  Thank you mostly for the perfect gift that you have given us, your Son, Jesus Christ.  It is being “in Him” in which we receive our greatest blessings. Amen.

“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry”    (2 Timothy 4:11) 

            All Christians are called to use the gifts that God has given them for works of ministry.  We might not all preach on Sundays, but we are all ministers.  There are many instances in which Christians fail in carrying out their ministries.  Perhaps your failure is from a loss of will, shame due to sin or maybe even discouragement because of criticism from others.  Whatever the case, failure often results in questioning our usefulness for future works of ministry.  If what I have described above has been your experience, be encouraged. 

            “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” As Paul wrote his last letter before his death, one of the requests he made of Timothy was to come and see him, and to bring Mark with him.  Paul viewed Mark as useful, both personally and in ministry.  This is a much different view than Paul had some years earlier as he prepared for his second missionary journey.  As the apostle Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey, Mark went along to assist them.  Mark knew most of the apostles, and he and Barnabas were cousins.  He seemed a perfect fit to join the team.  Well, maybe not.  For some reason, not explained in the biblical account, Mark left and returned to Jerusalem.  What is explained is that as Paul and Barnabas prepared to set out on their second missionary journey, Barnabas’s suggestion that Mark accompany them was met with sharp resistance from Paul.  Paul considered Mark a deserter for leaving them during the previous journey.  Their disagreement was so strong that it led to them going their separate ways with different people; Barnabas took Mark with him while Paul was joined by Silas.  Whether Paul or Barnabas was right in their dispute, Scripture doesn’t say, but what it does make clear is that though Mark may have failed early in his ministry, he was found more than useful in the long term.  The time with Barnabas must have been a time of growth and healing for Mark.  Even before this final letter of Paul’s life, he had seen Mark as a useful partner and “fellow worker” for the gospel (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24). 

            Do not let the title Grace In An Unlikely Place mislead you.  Grace doesn’t hide from us in God’s Word as all of Scripture is a testimony to God’s grace.  The title is meant as encouragement to look for grace where you may not expect it.  Mark’s testimony is of a ministry redeemed.  After past failure, he was used immensely by God, including writing the gospel that bears his name.  Additionally, in God’s providence, this early ministry failure created two missionary teams as opposed to just one.  This is how ministry always works; under God’s providential hand and always in His timing.  Our role is submission to His leading.  I hope Mark’s story encourages you as you minister.  I hope that it also encourages you in knowing that if you fail, lose your will or doubt, the Lord is never done with you.  Just as in the case of Mark, these things can be used to better prepare you for future ministry.  If that happens, your ministry will be used in just the same way as Mark’s, for God’s glory.     

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the grace that is found all throughout your Word.  Thank you that I can see an example of that grace in the life of Mark.  Through the testimony of your Word, we can be encouraged that failure doesn’t have to end our useful service to the gospel.  Help me to stay close to you Father and to rely on you each day to do what you have called me to do.  Amen!   

“But at your word I will let down the nets” (Luke 5:5) 

            I have a dear Christian brother who claims Luke 5:5 as one of his life verses.  Through his knowledge of the Word, but mostly by his life, he has taught me a lot.  Like all of us, struggling through periods of discouragement, there is a pattern to his life that is marked by obedience to the will of God.  Often perceived as weakness, obedience of any sort is not a very popular word in our culture today.  It is made more difficult especially when you’re not sure where the road leads.  It requires walking by faith.  But obedience gives testimony to God being at work in a person’s life and with it comes proof of one’s love for God and usefulness in His service.  The apostle Peter demonstrated both. 

            “But at your word I will let down the nets” Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade.  After an unsuccessful night of fishing, Jesus approached him and said, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4).  Peter expressed his previous failure, but he obeyed and this time caught an abundance of fish.  The purpose of Jesus’ encounter with Peter was not to teach him how to fish, but to show him that He was Lord.  Jesus would, however, spend the next three years teaching Peter and the other disciples how to fish.  They would become fishers of men.  Had you and I spent all night fishing and caught nothing, what might our response have been?  Peter’s response is both striking and instructional.  First, note that Peter’s past result didn’t influence his willingness to present obedience.  He obeyed at that moment.  Secondly, Peter obeyed in faith, though unsure of what the result might be. 

            Too often, we prefer to be able to see the road ahead before walking in faith and obedience.  The problem is that when you can see where the road leads, it’s not really walking by faith.  Peter could not have imagined where his road would lead and neither can you.  But you can trust that wherever it leads, the Lord will be walking it with you.  He will bless your obedience, even though challenges may result because it.  If you knew my friend, and some of the circumstances he has faced, had he lessened his commitment to heartfelt obedience to Christ, perhaps certain aspects of his life might have been a bit easier.  But that’s not my friend.  His obedience to God’s will is proof of his love for Him.  It brought Jesus great joy in obeying His Father and as a Christian obedience will bring you joy.  Your obedience will never be perfect, but it will be the default position of your heart.  Where in your past you chose not to obey, let it go.  It’s in the past.  A past paid for by the blood of Christ.  God’s desire is that you just take the next step.  Ask for God’s grace to obey His will.  You needed grace for salvation and you’ll need it throughout your life.  Trust that He will provide it because He will.  “Lord, at your word, I       will ……” 

 Prayer 

Dear God, thank you for the testimony of people who obey your will in spite of the consequences.  I pray that as the Holy Spirit works in my life; I will grow in obedience each day.  Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who was perfect in obedience and found joy in doing your will.  Because of that obedience, I can stand before you.  Thank you for your love.  Let my obedience to your will be my “thank you” to that love.

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) 

            Is anyone awaiting your forgiveness?  Humanly speaking, maybe they don’t deserve it, as the hurt caused is beyond forgiveness.  Consider the story of Joseph in the last chapters of Genesis (chapters 37-50).  Joseph’s brothers, jealous of how much their father Jacob loved him, sold him into slavery in Egypt, making it seem as if he had been killed.  This was just the beginning of Joseph’s trials.  God proved both faithful and present with Joseph in these times and he eventually rose to great power in Egypt.  But just think of all of the time Joseph missed with his family; the lost time with his father who loved him so much.  Could you forgive if you were treated that way or would revenge be in order?  What did Joseph do that may serve you and me when we are harmed by the evil of another? 

            “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” This verse sums up the story.  There was a famine in all the land and as a result of his brothers trip to Egypt to purchase grain, Joseph was reunited with his family and eventually brought them all to Egypt in order to provide for them.  In time, his father Jacob died.  Skeptical that the reason for Joseph’s kindness was only due to their father, Joseph’s brothers inquired of what he might do.  Upon this inquiry, he told them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”  If that seems an uncommon response to being mistreated, it is, and it’s even more uncommon given Joseph’s power and ability to punish his brothers if he so chose.  But Joseph chose a different response, a response explained only by God’s grace.  What Joseph understood, at least in part, was that God was sovereignly at work in his life, and part of that work included using other’s evil intent for His ultimate glory.  The specific purpose for Joseph’s circumstance was the preservation of the Hebrew people.  True recipients of grace desire to give it away and Joseph chose to be gracious and forgive his brothers.  His forgiveness is a reflection of even greater forgiveness that we have in Jesus Christ. 

            From a human perspective, maybe Joseph should have never forgiven his brothers, but God’s standard is never measured by human perspective.  The kind of forgiveness Joseph displayed comes only by divine power.  God is sovereign and His purposes are always good.  Do you sense those good purposes?  Do you believe that, “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28)?  God doesn’t promise there won’t be pain and challenges in achieving that purpose, but He does promise His presence.  Understanding that, as well as His sovereignty has many benefits.  In this story, among other things, it was the benefit of forgiveness in great measure.  Will you make that same choice?  There may be that someone who has brought terrible hurt and misfortune to you, but through it all, God has been at work to fulfill His good purpose for your life.  Realizing this was valuable in Joseph’s life and can be in yours as well.  So I ask again, is anyone awaiting your forgiveness?     

Prayer 

Father, you are sovereign and you are good.  I know that when people come against me, you are capable of turning evil intent into good.  Your presence with me in tough times is what brings me through. Help me to understand that during these times you’re still in control, working things out that will bring you glory.  Help me to give forgiveness in great measure, just as you have forgiven me in even greater measure and help me to lead a life worthy of that forgiveness.  Amen!  

“…that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4) 

         Our appreciation for something is often greatest when we consider the consequence of it never having been. There are people who don’t believe in the resurrection because there are people who don’t believe in Jesus Christ. There are also those who have a misperception of why Jesus came and who He claimed to be. This was also true in the Apostle Paul’s day. Paul was always concerned about the integrity of the gospel, emphasizing that the gospel he preached was that which he received from Christ. Of all the teaching in Scripture on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 is the most comprehensive. In this passage, Paul mentions three elements of the gospel: Christ’s death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day. All of these elements are critical to Christ’s redemptive work, but His resurrection is what we prepare to celebrate this day. Consider for a moment where we would be without it.     

         “…that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” In this chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul tells us the consequences of there being no resurrection. He says that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then preaching is in vain, faith is in vain, God is misrepresented, sin is not dealt with and all who have died “in Christ” have perished. He goes on to say that if it is only in this life that we hope in Christ then, “we are the most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Translation: If it is only in this life that we have hope in Christ, we can stay home on Sunday’s, throw away our Bible’s and live as we please because we’re hoping in something that isn’t real. Our hope for eternity is built on the resurrection and without it there is nothing or no one to hope in. But there is reason for our hope. The reason is because the Bible tells us that Jesus has been raised from the dead (1Corinthians 15:20).  

         In church today, the resurrection is the least alluded to aspect of Christ’s saving work. I’m not sure why that is so. Maybe we take it for granted? The resurrection is a necessary pillar of the Christian faith and its affirmation has everything to do with not only salvation and justification, but also biblical authority. It is often said that Jesus conquered sin on the cross, and I know what people mean when they say that, but His death alone is incomplete without His resurrection as this is how we are justified before God (Romans 4:25). The victory was completed when Jesus rolled away the stone and came out of the tomb. Though as a church we may only formally celebrate the resurrection once a year, as Christians we testify to it every Sunday and live it each day. As you consider and celebrate all that Christ has done, just as with His sinless life, His atoning death and His burial, thank Him for His defeat over the grave, His resurrection. Because of it we will never suffer the consequences of it never having been. But even more, thank Him for the resurrection because it speaks to the character of God. It not only confirms God accomplishing His plan, but also places the glory where it belongs, on Jesus Christ. Because of Him we have hope, not only for this life, but hope for all eternity. Worthy is the Lamb!    

Prayer 

God, I thank You for all of Jesus’ work in His life and death that saved me. My sin is that great. But God, today I especially thank You for His resurrection because without it, I am to be pitied and left without hope. But I have hope and that hope is in Christ alone. Help me to trust your Word as I live my life each day and as I testify about all of Jesus’ redeeming work. You are a great God and Savior.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us”  (Psalm 103:12)

            As Christians, one of the worst mistakes we can ever make is to discount the necessity of the cross in salvation.  Equally great, however, is to believe that what Jesus did on the cross was not sufficient for our sin.  Do we fully grasp the completeness of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?  Atonement is defined as something that restores a broken relationship, making amends for offenses and thereby satisfies the wrong that has been done.  In the case of salvation, it is where Jesus took upon Himself the wrath of God and paid the penalty for our sin in order that we wouldn’t have to.  I believe sometimes in our minds we say, “I know Jesus paid it all” while our actions and our hearts testify to the contrary.  We are called to the share in Christ’ suffering, to take up our cross daily, but as far as Scripture is concerned, self atonement, self saving is not possible.  More than that, it is not necessary. 

            Known as a man after God’s own heart, sin touched David’s life greatly.  Consequences for those sins also ensued.  In Psalm 103, David meditated on the great truths of God, reminding himself not only of how worthy the LORD was of his praise, but also the many reasons he had for praising Him.  David praised God for his mercy and grace in withholding immediate justice because of sin, and for His steadfast love for those who feared Him (Psalm 103:10-11).  In verse twelve, David praised God for the extent of His love.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” Just as the distance between heaven and earth, the distance between east and west is immeasurable.  But that is how far God has removed our sins from us.  How is that possible?  It is possible because of the greatness of God’s love for you and me.  It is also possible because of the perfection of Christ’s atonement. 

            Simply put, the atonement of Jesus Christ fully satisfied God’s wrath, such that, as believers, we will never be condemned for our sin.  When we realize what God has done through Jesus Christ, it brings freedom, not freedom to sin, but freedom to glorify God with our lives.  So get down from the cross and accept the perfect atonement of Jesus because it is sufficient.  There is nothing left for you to pay.  You’re called to take up your cross, not to hang on it.  Jesus did that.  He did pay it all.  He paid it to the point of death.  But on the third day, He rose and now sits at the right hand of the Father, a substitute and advocate for you and me.  Is He not worthy of our honor?  Is He not worthy of our praise?  He certainly is!  “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!” 

Prayer

Father God, thank you for being so gracious.  Thank you that when the guilt of my past haunts me, you say, “Don’t let it.  It’s paid for.”  Thank you that my present and future sins are also paid for.  By the blood of Christ, I have been redeemed.  Help me to live that redemption, recognizing its perfection and let it be cause for constant praise from my whole heart each and every day.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) 

           Temptation in this life never ends.  Satan, the father of lies is pleased when we give into temptation.  He knows that as a child of God he can’t change our relationship with our Heavenly Father, so he instead tries to break our fellowship with Him, while at the same time destroy our testimony before others.  We have all faced temptation, but it’s hard to imagine any time in which temptation to sin and secular conformity has been greater than it is today.  As adults, we face many temptations; in our careers, in our marriages, as we lead our families and in many other situations.  Our children encounter temptation in the decisions they face; to conform to peer pressure in order to be accepted, whether or not to remain sexually pure until marriage, appropriate friendships plus many more.  Though it may seem as if temptation has never been greater, human temptation began in the Garden and has been with us ever since.  But temptation is not sin, so the question for us to ask is how we keep it from becoming so and suffering the painful consequences as a result of it.

            “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” Paul knew spiritual warfare was real and he knew those in the church at Ephesus faced their own temptations.  Using the image of a Roman soldier, he set forth the means in which Christians can stand against these evil schemes.  Notice in the passage that Paul says, “the whole armor of God”, both the defensive weapons to shield from attacks and the one offensive weapon, the “sword of the Spirit” or the Word of God.  Paul used this image so the people in the church at Ephesus would know that the LORD had provided them all the spiritual resources necessary to stand firm.   

            As Christians, we must be fully armed to battle against this world today.  That is because it’s not really the world we are battling, but “spiritual forces of evil” in which our world is just a pawn.  Way too often, we battle temptation in our own strength.  Instead of His armor, we put the armor of self help, a determined will or our best effort.  The devil loves it when we clothe ourselves with that kind of armor because it spells our certain defeat.  This battle can never be fought in the flesh.  Our flesh is weak.  But when you put on the whole armor of God; now that’s real power, power that comes from a Divine source; the Spirit of God working through His Word.  Why do we keep relying on our best efforts when they fail us over and over?  Will we humble ourselves and realize we are no match for the enemy?  Will we be weak enough to gain real strength, strength that comes from above?  Paul knew God’s strength was magnified when he was weak, and his only surrender in battle was to his Savior, Jesus Christ.  Isn’t it time you surrendered to Him as well? 

Prayer

Father, we need to trust your armor and not our own.  I am of the flesh and sold under sin, but my heart’s desire is to please you.  I renounce my own efforts in doing this because I realize that I am no match for the devils schemes.  By the power of your Spirit through the power of the Word, let me be strong in the Lord and rely on the strength of His might.

“…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2)         

             Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”  Known as the Great Commission, this command is for all of us.  The apostle Paul lived that command.  For twenty years, he ministered alongside Timothy, a young man who joined him during the second missionary journey.  When Paul wrote his last letter, he knew his death would come soon.  Knowing that, he chose to write Timothy.  Naturally, he had a number of things on his mind, but the primary purpose for writing Timothy was to encourage him as he carried on the faithful ministry of the gospel.  Paul knew truth was under attack. 

            “…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2)  I imagine after twenty years there was probably very little that Timothy did not know and had not seen Paul live out in his own life.  Paul’s message to Timothy was to take those lessons he had learned and pass them on to other faithful men who would fight preserve the truth of the gospel.  What you see in this passage is Paul living out discipleship.  Paul battled for the truth in many ways.  He was a committed evangelist, missionary, pastor and church planter, but Paul was also committed to discipleship as evidenced by his relationship with Timothy.  The word disciple means learner and is characterized by one faithful person teaching another.

            The truth that was attacked in Paul’s day is also under attack today.  Discipleship is a means God uses to protect truth, but unfortunately it is greatly lacking in the church today as evidenced by its weakness in standing up to cultural changes that conflict with what God has made clear in His Word.  James Montgomery Boice comments that a fatal defect in the church is a lack of true commitment to discipleship.  He says one of the reasons for problems in the church is a defective theology that “separates faith from discipleship, and grace from obedience.  A theology that teaches Jesus can be received as one’s Savior without being received as one’s Lord.  Discipleship is not some supposed second step in Christianity, as if one first became a believer in Jesus and then, if he chooses a disciple.”  Obviously, in order for discipleship to be what it should be, our theology must be correct.  Paul’s of course was, therefore his writings, as well as the writings of others, and his life serve as an appropriate model for you and me.  More importantly, Jesus calls us to discipleship.  Are you a disciple?  Are you learning from a man or woman that is more mature in the Christian faith to help you grow in your walk with the Lord?  Are you leading men or women in discipleship?  If not, will you commit to?  This is what all Christians are called to do, so, “Go therefore…”

Prayer

Lord, help me this day to make time and commit to what your Word calls me to do.  You have called all Christians to discipleship, yet I often act as if you haven’t.  Convict me when I am disobedient and help me to live out this command.  Give me the desire to seek out others more mature than I to learn from and to seek out those less mature to teach.  God, this is your will.  Help me to do it.