1peter5:7

“6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.  We were not idle when we were with you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.” 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-9

Warning against idleness…

Paul, Silas, and Timothy (PST - the three who were together when Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Thessalonica) led by example and referred back to the times when the Thessalonians were present to witness, and therefore, able to remember the lifestyles of PST.  PST didn’t just work for the food they received, but they worked hard basically for the hospitality offered to them during their stay in Thessalonica - not in exchange but (I suppose) out of gratitude.  Verses 7-8 clearly say that they didn’t waste any time being idle but they used their time diligently and proved to not be a burden to those who hosted the Thessalonian hospitality.  Verse 9 says that PST did this for the purpose of becoming a model to believers - how encouraging it is to know that Christians are refining, training, and disciplining themselves so that they may be good examples for other Christians to follow!

So…what about me and my lifestyle?  Am I living a life that encourages others?  Is my lifestyle one to be modeled after?  The things I do, and the things I say daily - are they commendable as the words and actions of a healthy and inspiring Christian?

I can answer those questions.  The answers are as follows: no, no, and no.  My lifestyle as a Christian is probably no more impressive to others as it to my own self.  Even aside from the identity of being a “good Christian”, I see myself as someone who lacks too many traits to sum up to a “good person”.  However, I am reminded that the process of sanctification lies in the very core of God’s glory in my life as my faith grows in Him.  I want to be so tight with God that it will show in my daily life.  I want to be so good with God that there would be no reason for contempt or criticism of the image of Christ that I try to portray.  So in this process of becoming more and more Christ-like, I face many challenges and so much opposition from my own human flesh!  Idleness is a BIG factor of my failure to adhere to the commands and teachings of Jesus.  And here are some additional verses…

“11 We hear that some among you are idle.  They are not busy; they are busybodies.
12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”

Busybody - n. an officious or inquisitive person

Still don’t get it?  Basically, a busybody is someone who pries and gets nosy about everyone’s business but never get anything done themselves.  They need to “settle down and earn the bread they eat.”  Yeah, they do.  They can’t spend eternity meddling and trying to get involved in everyone else’s lives while putting their own on hold because they can’t/don’t figure out what to do with their own lives.  Live with purpose!

“13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.”

I got this.  I can change.  I will change because God deserves so much more from me than how I’ve been living this life.  I’m going to do what is right.  I’m going to live diligently for Him because there is no glory in idleness.

“20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:
’21 Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’?
22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

Colossians 2:20-23

The basic principles of this world (whatever they may presently be) seem good and beneficial to those who live by and pursue such lifestyles. So many people so readily conform to these principles but the Word clearly says that they have…

1. the appearance of wisdom - not wisdom itself, but instead, the appearance of wisdom.  How sly and tricky is it that the wolf would prowl around in sheep’s clothing? (Matthew 7:15)

2. self-imposed worship - not worship for the purpose of glorifying God, but instead, worship for the purpose of feeling accomplished and bigger than the human being could ever even dream of being.  Worship for the sake of worshiping, when true worship can’t even be summed up by the entirety of our human heart, mind, and soul which yearn for the radiance of God. God alone is to be worshiped.

3. false humility - not the humility in which Christ came down to earth (Ephesians 2:6-8), but instead, the deliberate mask of plastic humility that only superficially covers the ugly face of pride, lust, and drive for power that this world extols on a golden platter.

4. harsh treatment of the body - not a gentle, honorable treatment of the body as temples and living sacrifices as intended by God (1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 12:1).  For we have mortal bodies that have been given life because of the Spirit that lives in us (Romans 8:11).

5. lack in any value in restraining sensual indulgence - aka degrading the importance of self-controlling one’s lifestyle to be molded into godly priorities. The acts of sinful nature are obvious and those who indulge will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

Hmm.. just some ideas I had while spending time in the Word today.  The letter to the Colossians was unexpectedly powerful this time around.  I was never really convicted of anything the other times I did QT on this book hehe~

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
[Colossians 4:2]

Yuck.

I just read some of my older posts.

How childish I have been..and some of the stuff I wrote aren’t even half a year old.

I guess that just means I’ve grown and matured in the past 6 months.

But I know I’m still really immature and have lots of growing to do.

I’m still just a young lady. No longer a girl but not yet a woman.

For sure.

Growth spurt come on! :)

I know He will catch me when I fall.

It’s only a matter of time because each second counts.

Each second holds a valuable lesson.

How fast can I learn?

Of course, it’s not a constant loving heart and attitude that fills me up inside 24/7, but I have learned so much about what it means to love throughout this past year; it’s amazing and unbelievable how much my heart has expanded, but now it’s time to sleep.

I’d say that growing pains are definitely worth tolerating. More on this later :)

You stop.

Stop and thank God that this mindless chase is over.

Happiness isn’t what we should be looking for.
Happiness isn’t what will complete us.
Happiness isn’t going to satisfy us.

We need joy because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

This is an adjustment that takes great courage.
Who wants to leave their comfort?
Who is willing to suffer for joy when they can simply be content by pursuing happiness to their graves?

I say this because I haven’t been having happy times the past few weeks. They have been a very trying few weeks. But even in the absence of what humans call happiness, I realize I’m okay. In fact, I’m more than okay. I’m glad. I should rejoice because God delights in those who seek Him above anything else.

No more circling pleasures of the world.
No more circling pleasures of mankind.
No more circling pleasure of the human self.

I’d rather make a beeline for the freedom that only God can provide.

His joy has given me hope.
His joy has pulled me through.
His joy is eternal.
His joy is what I need.
Therefore, His joy is what I will pursue.

My pursuit of joy exists because of this race I am running.

At the end of it all, I want to be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

Malachi 3:3  ‘He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ’ He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know do you know when the silver is fully refined?

He smiled at her and answered, ’ Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them.

And, whatever they’re going through, they will be a better person in the end.