Example!

Example!

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

[12] 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.

Paul was writing to a young man, Timothy, who he had met on one of his missionary journeys. On first glance, there may not have been anything impressive about the young man. In those days, not being a Jew was like a death sentence. Non-Jews were ostracised, or treated as second class citizens, especially considering the importance of circumcision to the Jewish culture at the time. This made Paul's ministry even more crucial to the world then, as his assignment was to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to these 'outsiders'. As it was then, so is it now. There are people who are yet to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. There are people groups who are still unreached, and who need to hear about the love of God, and His eternal plans for man. What role are you playing in this assignment? 

For the sake of the Jews of his time, Paul had to circumcise Timothy, so that his message could be well received by the Jews. One has to be careful about man-made schemes and devices that operate to limit access to the abundant grace of God. God has so done it in a way that everyone has an opportunity to come before the throne of His grace, so as to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. One must be careful not to place man- made burdens on other people, based on our own human experiences. I note that Paul did not lower God's standard in order to fit Timothy into the scope of the mission, but the mission was expanded to ensure that even a man like Timothy could stand before the Jews and speak the mind of God. How am I holding on to and ensuring that the standard is always maintained? 

I note that God did not first consider race before He decided to use men like Timothy. Men like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may have been recorded as having relationships with God, but we also find men like Rahab, Ruth and the Samaritan woman have encounters with this God, and their lives never remained the same. This is where my personal walk with God is critical: if I know who I am, whose I am, and who I work for, it will help keep me focused on what is critically important. Age is not a barrier to what God can do; wealth is but a state, and God can lift up one and bring down another, just to prove that He is God. My life has to be an example of God's touch. My life must reflect the grace of God in His beauty and fulness. Can men see me and see God at work? Do I represent Him well, or are there things that need to change? God's time of favour is here.