I'm initiating a "NT Challenge" to any who would like to participate. 27 days for the 27 books of the NT. 1 book of the NT a day. I think I'll follow this with an "OT Challenge."
If you wish to participate just post a comment that you'll be participating in the challenge.
Best,
Steven M. Belcher
Monday, June 30, 2008
"Hold Fast..."
Today begins the first of many entries, I hope, reflecting upon God's Word through the reading and meditation upon Scripture, the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ, the reading of good theology and history, and other courses of activity that cause solid reflection upon the things of God.
I'll dedicate this first brief post to my best friend and brother in Christ, Marcus Deel. Marcus preached yesterday morning and evening on II Timothy. I missed the morning teaching (I was once again in the nursery). In the evening, Marcus encouraged us to suffer for the Gospel. I latched on to two things. First, Paul says in II Tim 1:8, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (NKJV) Second, Paul encourages Timothy and all believers in II Tim 2:1 to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." In making these exhortations to believers, Paul uses three analogies for the Christian life: "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (v.3), an athlete (v.5), and the farmer (v.6). I believe that two things are worth noting. First, in order to "hold fast" we must know what it is that we are to hold fast. Paul says to hold fast to "the pattern of sound words" that he preached, namely the Gospel. This charge implies knowing the Gospel. So, first, all believers must know the Gospel and be able to articulate it. Towards this end, Marcus encouraged us to be in the Word and to be reading good theology. In addition to the knowing, then there is the doing. I really enjoyed and was encouraged by Paul's three illustrations. We are to hold fast to the Gospel living like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. All three of these characters, as Paul describes, must be consistently disciplined in achieving the task or end goal of their particular vocation. It is the same in the Christian life. The goal set for us is our sanctification for the glory of God (I Thess 4:7). That goal is achieved by consistent discipline in holiness (a reading recommendation, Don Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life).
Grace,
Steven M. Belcher
I'll dedicate this first brief post to my best friend and brother in Christ, Marcus Deel. Marcus preached yesterday morning and evening on II Timothy. I missed the morning teaching (I was once again in the nursery). In the evening, Marcus encouraged us to suffer for the Gospel. I latched on to two things. First, Paul says in II Tim 1:8, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus." (NKJV) Second, Paul encourages Timothy and all believers in II Tim 2:1 to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." In making these exhortations to believers, Paul uses three analogies for the Christian life: "endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (v.3), an athlete (v.5), and the farmer (v.6). I believe that two things are worth noting. First, in order to "hold fast" we must know what it is that we are to hold fast. Paul says to hold fast to "the pattern of sound words" that he preached, namely the Gospel. This charge implies knowing the Gospel. So, first, all believers must know the Gospel and be able to articulate it. Towards this end, Marcus encouraged us to be in the Word and to be reading good theology. In addition to the knowing, then there is the doing. I really enjoyed and was encouraged by Paul's three illustrations. We are to hold fast to the Gospel living like a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. All three of these characters, as Paul describes, must be consistently disciplined in achieving the task or end goal of their particular vocation. It is the same in the Christian life. The goal set for us is our sanctification for the glory of God (I Thess 4:7). That goal is achieved by consistent discipline in holiness (a reading recommendation, Don Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life).
Grace,
Steven M. Belcher
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
