The Evangelist’s Pen
… continued from last time:
"Where Do I Begin?"

I ended, in the last issue, with the question, "Is there then a sure fire method that is guaranteed effective, that is God‘s way and has His blessing? " Yes – but it involves individuals, each of us, not just a select few, and even meets the demand of "who am I," and "what can I do?" It is even for those who feel they have no talent, no abilities and nothing to offer. But I must warn you that it goes against all human nature. It does not appear at first glance, through human eyes, to be an answer, let alone the answer.

I Timothy 4:11-16 says,

4:11 These things command and teach.

4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 The word command, in the 11th verse, in the Greek, is paraggello – meaning to transmit a message along from one to another, to declare, to announce; and the word teach is didasko – to explain, or expound a thing. So the scripture says we are to transmit, declare, announce, explain or expound the message of the gospel, regardless of our youth (or age, looks, mannerisms, weight, height, width, etc.) In other words letting no one (not even ourselves) use any of these as an occasion (of excuse) to refute our testimony. Just "be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Give attention to the reading and meditation upon God’s Word, wholly (or completely) applying yourself to the same. There is no believer who can excuse themselves from this edict. You don’t have to take the pulpit, stand on a street corner, or any thing else of the kind. Simply live for Jesus every day of your life. Living for Jesus means that the way you conduct yourself always brings glory and honor to Him, never shaming Him, never dragging His name in the gutter, but walking upright in speech, actions and every manner of communication with others. Note the emphasis throughout on thy, thee, thyself, and thou. The message is directed at each individual. None are exempted. Indeed, there are none who cannot do these things, if they truly desire to please Him. His promise to you is that it will keep you saved and bring about the salvation of those that observe your Godly living.