The world is full of people who are caught in patterns of sin, who are without hope, who have been hurt or disappointed by others, or who are spiritually deluded. Many of them are our co-workers, our friends and neighbors, and others God has placed in our lives. How can we make a difference in their lives? Our New Testament passage shows us four ways.
We’ll also look at how so many today call evil good and good evil. Many things that are advocated would have seemed impossible 10 years ago. It makes us wonder how people can be so blinded to the truth. But it’s not just unbelievers who can become deluded. How can we avoid spiritual delusion in our own lives?
And finally, read about overcoming evil and the only One who is “hope-worthy.”
Today’s Readings:
Jeremiah 47 & 48
Psalm 119:113-120
Proverbs 28:5
2 Timothy 4:1-22
4 Ways to Make a Difference in Someone’s Life
2 Timothy 4.1-22:
I Charge You Therefore …
Yesterday’s reading in chapter 3 warned us about what would happen in the last days. The chapter ended by telling us that it’s the Word of God that teaches us how to live, shows us those areas where we are not living that way, corrects us by showing us how to make biblical changes, and helps us make righteousness the ongoing pattern of our lives (2 Tim. 3.16-17).
Then chapter 4 starts out:
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (vv. 1-2).
“I charge you therefore …” In light of the fact that perilous times will come in these last days and that we have the answer to those challenges and all the issues of life (2 Pet. 1.2-4), “Preach the word! Be ready … Convince, rebuke, exhort …”
How to Live It Out
Certainly, this is a command to pastors, teachers and others in full-time ministry. But it’s not just for them. Each of us is called to make a difference.
As I said in the introduction, the world is full of people who are caught in patterns of sin, who are without hope, who have been hurt or disappointed by others, or who are spiritually deluded. Many of them are our co-workers, our friends and neighbors, and others God has placed in our lives.
How can we obey God and make a difference in their lives? Here are just 4 ways:
- “Preach the Word!” We are to be ready to share the gospel at all times, whether it’s convenient, whether there is a personal cost, and whether or not our words are accepted. As I said, this isn’t just for those in full-time ministry. It’s for each one of us (Matt. 28.19-20).
- “Convince.” We are to do so lovingly and patiently without arguing or getting upset (2 Tim. 2:23-26).
- “Rebuke.” There are times when we must rebuke someone, especially when that person is a sinning brother or sister in Christ. But again we are to do so lovingly and gently, looking first at our own lives (Gal. 6:1-2).
- “Exhort.” We are to encourage others to act on their faith and when they do, encourage them to keep going.
So, is there someone in your life who needs you to show God’s love by your willingness to share the gospel? Have you been unwilling out of fear or insecurity?
If so, it’s important to remember that it’s not about us. We can’t save anyone. Our job is to simply be faithful and to trust God with the results.
Reprove & Rebuke
Is there someone caught in a web of sin that you need to lovingly and gently reprove or rebuke? Maybe you’ve thought, “Who am I to judge? I’m far from perfect!” While that’s true and we aren’t to come across as self-righteous (Gal. 6.1-2), it can’t be an excuse to disobey God. Proverbs 27.6 says:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
When I need to confront someone, I sometimes start out, “I’m not talking to you because I’ve always done it right. In fact, just the opposite!” Then I might share a little of my own testimony. Other times I might say something like, “I love you too much not to talk to you about this …”
So, if there’s someone you need to lovingly confront, ask God for the wisdom and grace.
Exhort & Encourage
Is there someone you need to encourage to step out in faith, act on what they believe, or stay the course? Do you know someone who is not using his or her gifts and abilities? Exhort them to take the first step.
Or maybe they need to step out and grow more spiritually by joining a small group or attending a Bible study. Maybe they need a mentor to walk alongside them, read the Bible with them, or study a book together. Could God be calling you to come alongside and disciple them (Tit. 2.3-5; Matt. 28.19-20)?
Or is there a single mom who faithfully brings her children to church after a long week of work? Is there a single dad struggling to raise girls? Or a student who serves God instead of doing what everyone else seems to be doing? Let them know that you notice.
Preach the Word! Convince, rebuke, encourage … make a difference in someone’s life!
If you would like to read more on this subject, check out these posts:
“When to Admonish, Rebuke or Warn a Friend”
Today’s Other Readings:
Jeremiah 47 & 48:
Overcoming Evil
In these two chapters, the Lord speaks to the Philistines and the Moabites and warns them of coming judgment. Even though God would first use them and other heathen nations as instruments of judgment against the nation of Israel, He would also judge them.
Sometimes, in God’s sovereignty, He allows people in our lives to sin against us, too, because He knows He can use it to grow us and help us to become more like Christ.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8.28-29).
Our Response
When that happens, we are to respond with love and forgiveness and to trust Him to deal with them appropriately. Romans 12 tells us:
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 119.113-120:
He Alone is “Hope-Worthy”
The Psalmist said:
I hope in Your word (v. 114b).
Where do you place your hope? In your career, your family, our government, having enough money, having your children turn out well, or having a spouse who loves you and is faithful to you?
While those are not bad things, they all make lousy saviors. God alone is truly “hope-worthy”!
Proverbs 28.5:
Spiritual Delusion
Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand all.
James 1:22 says it this way:
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
And Hebrews 5:14 says:
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
“Evil men do not understand justice …” When we disobey God’s Word, we become increasingly deluded, calling evil good and good evil. We see this today as homosexuality and other types of sin and perversion are called good and those who speak the truth about God’s righteousness are called evil, intolerant, homophobes, and accused of trying to push their rules on others.
But “… those who seek the Lord understand all.” The more we inform our consciences biblically and obey God’s truth, the more we understand and grow spiritually.
Note: I wrote this post before the attack on Israel on October 7, but I couldn’t help thinking how true this verse is of the protests against Israel that are sweeping across our nation and the world. “Evil men do not understand justice …”
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can share them in the comments section below.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about whether being good really matters, the basics of the Christian life, national sin, the loss of restraining grace, and more.
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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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