Christian education – Bible study – is a BIG DEAL for EVERYONE in the Church (all developmental groupings and ages)! Here it is right out of the Bible… “From childhood you have been acquainted with THE SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!” (2 Timothy 3:15–17)
“Are you a Christian – a follower of Jesus?” If you were asked that question, how would you answer?
Some might answer with a follow-up question: “What do you mean by that?” (And that’s ok – it would provide an opportunity for clarification, for testimony, for witness!” The answers of others, however, would probably fall into two general groups: “Intermittent” followers of Jesus (i.e. they follow Him periodically or occasionally – when it’s convenient) or they are “sustained” followers of Jesus (i.e. they follow him faithfully – they seek to do His will all the time in all kinds of situations or circumstances!).
I read a passage of Scripture this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” that indicated true followers of Jesus in the world in which we live face two challenges; persecution or attempts to deceive them. Here it is from the passage I read: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived!” (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
So how can a person succeed as a follower of Jesus in the face of those challenges? Really 3 things are pointed out in the verses that follow… each one of them critically important (each tied to the important word “CONTINUE” (or “SUSTAINING” some things):
1) Sustain your commitment to Christ!
2) Sustain following godly examples and teachers (all the way – from childhood through the rest of your life!)!
3) Sustain systematically reading, studying, and following what the Bible teaches!
Here they are… the very next verses: “But as for you, CONTINUE in WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED AND HAVE FIRMLY BELIEVED, KNOWING FROM WHOM YOU LEARNED IT and how from childhood you have been acquainted with THE SCRIPTURES, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK!” (2 Timothy 3:14–17)
Each aspect is important to your success (and mine) as a “faithful, devoted, obedient, follower of Jesus!” Gotta tell you, I want to be that kind of “Christian” – that kind of “follower of Jesus!”
Given the polarized political climate in our nation, and the vitriolic discussions even among believers, and our redemptive responsibility to “the gospel” within our culture, this admonition from 2 Timothy taken from my Bible reading this morning just seemed appropriate to post…
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies – you know that they only breed quarrels. And THE LORD’S SERVANT must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting their opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth – they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (From 2 Timothy 2:23-26)
Coffee With The Lord 