Corona Devo 1776
"How do I get to heaven?", people ask, and let's face it, we all wonder: "What are the exact steps in getting there?".
The initial steps are clearly stated (repeatedly) in the Bible: accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. We must (first) admit that we have sinned and that God is holy (AKA: He is God and we are not). Then we have to believe that Christ died for our sins, and finally, we must accept Him into our hearts, minds and lives.
The Bible tells us this clearly. (Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ~Acts 2:38
Those steps of faith are outlined in Scripture pretty concretely.
But what next?
What does it actually mean to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:5)?
How exactly do we "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1)?
Scriptures painting the "big picture" of faith fill the Bible, but sometimes I need the black-and-white, grassroots, day-to-day-instructions.
Can we get specific?
I think we can. And I think Paul did when he wrote a letter to his protege, Timothy in teaching him how to live-out-faith.
I Timothy, Chapter 6 provides some excellent lessons for life as we live for the Lord.
Anyone (else) need to brush-up on some teachings that promote a godly life (I Timothy 6:2)? I do, and...more than teachings...these are truths for life: a godly life.
Ready for today's Living-Out-Our-Faith "class"?
1. First lesson: Don't (waste time) arguing with people who are not interested in learning the Bible.
Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them.
Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. (4) Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. (5) These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. ~I Timothy 6:3-5
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The most peace-filled and full-filled people I know are content. Some of these content people have very little money and resources and yet they have joy and contentment...and they live a godly life.
I also know some very discontent people with great wealth. (How many celebrities over the decades have ended their lives early?)
And hopefully we all know some people with great wealth and great contentment...but Paul reminds us that this combination requires Jesus.
Rich or poor, if we have Jesus and contentment, then life is good. The Bible says it best: true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. (8) So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
(9) But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. ~I Timothy 6:6-10
Right on, Paul! Thank you for the practical and applicable specifics about living for the Lord. Money (usually) messes people up, but (having a lot or a little): contentment is what settles our spirits on God, and that's what we want. That's how we want to live and who we want to be: men and women of God.
Paul brings his teaching home with some solid final points.
I picture all of us (Believers) in the locker room with him, and our hands on top of each others' in a big pinwheel of arms. Paul is revving us up for the "big game of life", and we are all on the same team: God's. We are all playing for the same thing: His glory. And if we need a spiritual coach to speak-life into us as we face today: Here comes Paul:
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
(12) Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. (13) And I charge you before God... (14) that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again....
(17) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (18) Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. (19) By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
(20) Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. (21) Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.
May God’s grace be with you all. ~I Timothy 6:11-14, 17-21
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And there we have it: some feet-on-the-ground maneuvers for faith-based living.
Sometimes I need specifics, and today God gave us some. Share them with someone you know, and remember our first "lesson" from Paul? Don't (waste time) arguing with people who are not interested in learning the Bible.
We didn't make up the rules of living a godly life: God did. We all have a choice as to what teachings we will base our lives and beliefs upon. We choose the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. ~I Timothy 6:3
sarah
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