There is a message in this for older folks as
well.)
School is back in session and some o= f you reading this article are happy about that and others are not. Whatever your attitude is about school (work for the old folks), do remember this: As Christian people the Lord expects be= havior of us befitting the name we wear or soon will wear. I am speaking of the na= me “Christian” (Acts 11:26). You might ask, “What is the nature of that behavior?” = Paul told the young man Timothy in 1st Tim. 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, = in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (NKJV). Paul said we are to be an example, or a model, or a pattern for othe= rs. How you might ask?
1.&n= bsp; We are to be an example “in word”, or language. Our speech should be sound (2nd Tim. 1:13). Dir= ty language has no place in a Christian’s life.
2.&n= bsp; We should be an example “in conduct”. Paul said, “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ (P= hil. 1:27).
3.&n= bsp; We must be an example “in love.” The pattern to set and follow in love is found in 1 Cor. 13:4-7. Fifteen different aspects of love are set forth in that chapter. Remember, “God is love” <= b>(1John 4:8).
4.&n= bsp; We are told to be an example “in faith”.<= /b> The word “faith” here ref= ers to one’s personal level of belief and understanding. This faith comes by hearing the word of= God (Rom. 10:17). What we believe and do makes a difference. Peter said we should know what we believe, why we believe it, how to defend it (1st Pet. 3:15).
5.&n= bsp; We are expected to be an example “in purity”. Paul said in 1st Tim. 5:2= 2, “keep thyself pure”. John wrote in 1st John 2:= 16 that there are three areas of temptation we must avoid to remain pure. Those areas include “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the p= ride of life”. Remember the way we dress says much about our purity of l= ife.
I pray each of us will be an example= in which God would be pleased.
---Edited from an article written by =
Mel
Futrell Shades Mountain, AL