"If You Know These Things, Happy Are You if You Do Them"

"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." -JOHN 4:334.


How might you imitate .  .  .

* the humility of Paul and Barnabas?

* the unselfish spirit of Epaphras?

* King David's self-restraint when provoked by Shimei ?


Why is it a challenge to apply what we learn from God's Word?  One reason is that it takes humility to do what is right, and our ability to remain humble is under assault.  In these "last days," we are surrounded by people who are "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty," and without self-control." (2 Timothy 3:1-3)  When selfish behavior is reported and even celebrated, a servant of God might despise such conduct but envy the results. (Psalm 37:1; 73:3)  One might even wonder: 'Is there any point in my putting others' interest ahead of my own? If I conduct myself "as a lesser one," might people lose respect for me?'  (Luke 9:48) Allowing the world's selfish spirit to influence us could harm the loving relationships we enjoy om the congregation and our identity as Christians.  But we are rewarded when we study the good examples set out in the Bible and imitate them. 

If we want to make faithful ones our role models, we need to investigate what they did that brought the desired results.  How did they receive friendship with God, enjoy his approval, and acquire power to accomplish his will?  This kind of study  is an essential part of our spiritual feeding.

Note: You need to remember and understand that all Christians  are just as imperfect as anyone else, we just try harder to do what is right and  usually the mistakes we make are small ones.  But there are some big ones now and then. We have to have good self-control and have the nature to be who we need to be for God and to imitate him the best way we can, because we are imperfect and sin, yes, sin still, baptism helps but doesn't change it. It is what is in our hearts that we want to do right and continue to do so, for not just our sake, but for God's as well. Being the better and kinder person, puts us in a better light, and the one who thinks we are weak, is what the Bible says; heaps coal on their heads and makes them look like the bad person.   God loves us when we are naturally good to others and no one that helps others in any way whatsoever should be looked at or look at themselves as heroes, that should be a natural feeling and a good thing to do. It should not be considered a duty. 

Next time: "If You Know These Things, Happy Are You if You Do Them - SPIRITUAL FOOD-MORE THAN JUST INFORMATION

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