Grow from the Example of Others, Part 1

Photo by National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

So don’t be ashamed to give witness about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that.  God has saved us. He has chosen us to live a holy life. It wasn’t because of anything we have done. It was because of his own purpose and grace. Through Christ Jesus, God gave us that grace even before time began.

Insights: This week we are going to look at three ways in which we grow through motivation.  Today and tomorrow we are going to look at how we grow through the example of others.  Wednesday we will look at how we grow from the faith we have experienced personally.  Thursday and Friday we will learn about how we grow through the doctrines we have been taught.  Today, specifically, we learn from these two verses that we have fellow believers who have suffered for the gospel.  Paul is presently in prison for sharing the gospel and Paul is telling Timothy to not be ashamed of him for being in prison.  The reason is because his imprisonment is due to his obedience to proclaiming the gospel.  Paul has this kind of confidence because of the salvation with which he was called.  In other words, because his salvation is dependent on Jesus and Jesus only, he is confident in his salvation.  We, as outside observers, can see this life change in others and then we can begin to live our lives in that kind of faith as well.  Beloved, let me encourage you to find individuals with whom you can model your life.  Learn from their faithfulness and then live your life in the same way and become an example for others around you.

Questions:

1. Are you prepared to grow in your faith through suffering?

2. Does the security that your salvation is dependent on the work of Jesus comfort you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the godly examples You have placed in my life.  May my life grow into such a life that I might be an example for others as well. Amen.

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