“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
The teaching of Paul both oral and written, implies Scripture. They are the fundamentals which are given us from old taught as from the Lord. The truths of the Old Testament point to the coming of the Christ had now been revealed and we read in the New Testament is given to us also from Paul. We praise God for the book. As the old hymn writer put it so eloquently “Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus that to trust and obey.”
As people face very trying and confusing problems in their lives, I am aware that pat answers are not helpful, but ask yourself this, “When I am troubled is it because I am not trusting Jesus enough? Do I lack faith somewhere? Do I not understand what Jesus is teaching? Do I lack obedience?” Do you know what Jesus teaches and are you obeying it?
God will strengthen you, but for what purpose? For every good deed. I do not want us to forget that we are called to good deeds, to do good works. Belief is seen in what we do. What we do is seen in our belief. I have never read the New Testament without being impressed with the faith and works. If we are to let Jesus be our example, indeed it was by our leader who said go and do likewise, using the example of the Good Samaritan when the man was found on a road beaten and needing care. It was Jesus who taught us to give a coat to one who has none. It was our Savior who said give a cup of cold water in my name. It was the same Jesus that said “go into all the world and preach the Gospel baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit teaching them to obey what I have commanded you" “Love one another.”., “Do good to those who persecute you.” “Forgive seven times seventy.”. Our world needs to be loved the way they are loved by Jesus. It happens when Jesus’ representatives love them. God in us is seen in acts of friendship, service, giving, sharing, helping, and working together as God gives us ability, understanding, and grace.
Application: Ask God to give you strength in deed and in word. The reason many of us are ineffective in our witnessing is that it is easier to talk of the weather, sports, family, and other subjects, but when it comes to speaking to them about Jesus, we freeze.
Prayer: Lord God grant that each of us will allow the Holy Spirit to bestow upon us the gift of holy boldness in deed but also in word.
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