Do!

Do!

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9 KJV

We live in a generation/dispensation that is high on words but low on action. We have messages that speak highly of positive thinking, but do very little to drive positive action. We now want to feel good about ourselves, not really minding whether what we hold on to is the best God wants for us or not.  There are not too many good examples to emulate around us, as music or film stars have become the image most children and young adults aspire to copy these days. It is such a dangerous time that we are in, yet we read of words like today's extract and sense that there is hope somewhere. 

What would God want me to know from the words of today's extract? Can I dare stand before men like myself and lay my life down as an example they can emulate and be safe? You see, for Paul, it was more than just words; he was a man who could lay his private and public lives as a harmony that spoke to men. He was not a hypocrite who failed to practice what he preached, but he was a man whose personal conviction aligned with his public profession. There was no secret sin that the devil could use as a hindrance to his ministry. That is the harmony that is missing in today's world. 

Look at the words: learned, received, heard, seen. My understanding of these words is that whether I am conscious of it or not, my life, words, actions, reactions, conversations, conduct and company speak at all times. I cannot get away with deceit, no matter how hard I try or how well I am able to compartmentalise my life. People observe; most know the right standards, even if they choose not to follow them. Comments like: "and you call yourself a Christian" show that those who say it have a good idea what the right thing is, even if they have chosen not to follow it. Am I that kind of person, focused solely on impressing, without impacting? 

Can I ask anyone else to follow after my life's pattern? Paul could lay his life down as that right pattern, and nothing was hidden from public view. I am the light set on a hill, with no possibility of hiding in the shadows. I am calling to people to do what they see me do, speak the way they hear me speak, and conduct themselves the way they see me do. Actions speak, and they are reflections of who I truly am. God's peace will only thrive and survive in that perfect environment of harmony. Yes, there will times of disagreements, but they will never change the foundation of the harmony that a life in Jesus has. Do I have that harmony? God's time of favour is here.