The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Paul

  • How to Prepare for Living a Christian Life

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

    (2 Timothy 2:15)

    Timothy was a great Christian and Paul’s faithful friend. Although Timothy’s mother and grandmother had taught him about Jesus, Paul had led Timothy to Jesus (taught him how to be saved) and watched him grow in his Christian faith.

    Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to Timothy. After reminding him of his salvation, he encouraged him to step up to the task God had placed before him. Timothy was to not be ashamed of the Gospel message, but to be willing to stand up faithfully and teach the truths of that Gospel. And to even be proud if he suffered “afflictions of the gospel” (see 2 Timothy 1:8-10).

    Paul had taught him the importance of sound doctrine. “13. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Timothy 1:13-14). See the following definitions to help you understand what Paul was telling Timothy:

    • Form: “a sketch, or concise, representation or form”
    • Sound: “sound doctrine, i.e.: true; pure; uncorrupted”

    Paul wanted Timothy to understand the importance of holding on to the sound doctrine – true, pure, uncorrupted – that he had been taught (that is now recorded in God’s Word for us to read). Paul followed this with a warning that there would be some who would turn away from him when he stood for the truths in God’s Word –  for Paul had already seen a departure from the faith, leaving him to stand alone in Asia (see 2 Timothy 1:15). Paul had already warned him this would happen (see 1 Timothy 4:1). But Paul also encouraged Timothy that he could endure this because the Holy Spirit dwells in us – He won’t leave!

    But how do you prepare for a life pleasing to God? “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Christians must study and know God’s Word. They must be able to discern between the truth of God’s Word and false teaching. This is just the first step in knowing how to live a Christian life. But it is a very important one.

    There is a child’s song that I am reminded of…

    “Read your Bible, pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow!

    Don’t read your Bible, or pray every day, and you will shrink, shrink, shrink!”

    Do you want to grow?

    Or do you want to shrink?

    The choice is up to you!

  • A Living Sacrifice

    “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

    There are some very important things we need to learn about how a Christian is to live.     

    Paul encouraged people who have given their hearts and lives to Jesus to understand the importance of living their lives in a pleasing manner. Romans 12:1-2:  “1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Just as Jesus willingly died for each Christian, each Christian is then to present their life to Jesus as a “living sacrifice.” 

    What does this mean?  Living sacrifice means the physical life and existence, as opposed to death or nonexistence, always with some duration as a living and constant sacrifice. God expects His people to live a life, always, as if they belong to Him – acceptable to Him. That is the very least we can do (“reasonable service”). 

    Paul went on to remind us that because we are now spiritual creatures, we are not to be “conformed” to this world. 

    • Not conformed means to be fashioned alike; one is not to be molded by the external and fleeting manners or ways of this period of time, but to undergo a deep inner transformation that can only be brought by the Holy Spirit.  Instead of being conformed (changed to be like the world by outside influences), we are being transformed. 
    • Transformed means that invisible process that begins to take place in a Christian during his/her life here on earth.  To be changed from the inside out. How are we to be transformed?  By renewing one’s mind. 
    • Renewing means a renovation which makes a person different than in the past.  A Christian is not to think like they always have according to the world’s system.
    • Prove means to put to the proof or examine; the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not.  Once Christians know how to live, they are to implement those things into their life.

    A Christian is to live a life, not like the rest of the world, but different from the world! We are to always remember that our life is not our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)!