Page 5 - 2017 JFBNews - August

divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was yes, giving –yes. When you look at the second half of this list, you

born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he need to know there is a danger of overplaying these parts in our day
humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on and age while undermining the harder qualities listed first. You
a cross.” Truthful, without manipulation and humble. How do you cannot give the softer qualities while compromising the truth or
come to your brothers and sisters, your co-workers and your holiness. Warren W. Wiersbe once said, “Truth without love is
neighbors? Too often we come with flattering words or pretext. Too brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” But we often excuse
often we seek glory from people. To put it in modern terms, we hypocrisy and fear brutality in order to play it safe. It’s evil. Truth
come not wanting people to think badly of us. If we’re honest, we spoken in love brings understanding. Jesus’ method knows the
want people to glory in us. When we do that, we’re drawing hugging, spanking, discipline, teaching, consequences, kissing,
attention to the imperfect mirror rather than to Jesus in our encouraging, joy, attention, togetherness, and leading; all the
reflection. People are not moved by us but by Him. aspects of parenting. This passage says Paul delivered the whole
The DIDs proceed from here. Paul says they “as a nursing package.
mother” were “gentle” and were “affectionately desirous” of them. How did the people receive it? Verse 13 sums it up for us, “we
They were “ready” to share not only the gospel but their “own also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word
selves” as well. The people had become “very dear” to them. In their of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of
“labor and toil” they “worked day and night” to “not be a burden” to men but as what it really is, the word of God.” The evidence is clear
the people. They were willing to stand witness before God that Paul and his men were reflecting Jesus.
concerning how “holy, righteous and blameless” they were “in their So, how do we get to that place? Go back to verse 4 which gives
conduct”. As “a father with his children” so they treated the people. us a key for Paul, “as we have been approved by God to be entrusted
As a good father, they “exhorted, encouraged and charged” them to with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God
“walk in a manner worthy of God”. In this run of passages you get a who tests our hearts.” When your mirror faces Jesus, Jesus is in the
broader picture of Christ’s love; the complete circle of love. reflection. It’s the only way to righteously minister.
Correction –yes, discipline –yes, direction in the truth –yes, sacrifice -=tom
–yes… but that is not the end of it. It equally includes affection –yes,
warmth –yes, care –yes, nurturing –yes, desire –yes, compassion –

ACTOR JIM CAVIEZEL GIVES A WORD OF EXHORTATION AT

ROCK CHURCH ABOUT OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS.

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