Wednesday January 11, 2017
“The Shape of God’s Grace”
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned
and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that
from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are
able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man
of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
I. Knowing is for Living
The letter to the Romans, as we mentioned yesterday, gives us the broad
outline of this mold* (*this spelling is US; but I’m using a book
written by a Scotsman, so you may see “mould”). It shows us the shape of God’s grace to us in Christ, and when we
begin to understand its teaching, it makes powerful impression upon our lives
and daily conduct. It determines the way we live. But the follow-up question
is, what about the many Christians who live their lives without much grasp of
biblical truth? Unfortunately, there are far too many “so-called” Christians live
out their lives without allowing the power of Gospel doctrine to impact their
lives. No impression is made on their personal lives which in turn makes no
impression on anyone else around them.
It cannot be over emphasized that men
and women who have accomplished anything in God’s strength have always done so
on the basis of their grasp of truth.
They themselves may not have described their approach as ‘doctrinal’, thinking
of themselves simply as students of God’s
Word. Yet, it has been because of their appreciation of biblical doctrine
they have been useful instruments in the hands of God (S. Ferguson).
Notice how Paul lays out the flow of instructions (doctrine) to his son
in the faith, Timothy, in our Scripture for today. Paul connects Scripture,
teaching and training, and the practicalities of being a Christian soldier with
the end result of being equipped for every good work. In the
end, all doctrine has this essentially practical quality about it. It
forms our thinking in such a way that it becomes a determining factor in our
living.
Challenge: When you go
through your day today, consider the things you do and see if they line up with
your “doctrine” (core belief). Are you on “auto-pilot” or do you act with
knowledge that flows from the impressions of God’s grace in your soul?
This Day in Christian History:
Jan 11, 1857 – death of missionary to the Arabs, Eli Smith. He improved printing
materials to Arab Nations and developed the font, “American Arabic”. He
immersed himself in Arabic culture to learn the language. His greatest
contribution to missions was translating the Bible into Arabic during the last
eight years of his life.
Jan 11, 1992 – on this day, 25 years ago, a young
man married a young woman in Tofoa, Tongatapu. Started their family there and
moved to the States. 4 Children and 1 grand child later, they can both say with
our heading for today, the “SILVER” lining of the “MOLD” of their relationship
has been “THE SHAPE OF GOD’S GRACE”!
Happy Anniversary to my lovely bride, ‘Ana ‘Ofa-ki-‘Ene’io Lavaka Tulua,
on this very special Day. ‘Ofa hulu atu.
Memory Verse: (Sun Jan 8)
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in
faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 1:13
Ko e anga ē ‘o e ngaahi lea mo‘ui
na‘a ke fanongo ai meiate au, ‘i he tui mo e ‘ofa ‘oku ‘ia Kalaisi Sīsū. – 2 Timote 1:13
Puke ke ma‘u ‘a e sino ‘o e ngaahi lea haohaoa, ‘a ia na‘a ke fanongo ai
‘iate au, ‘io he tui mo e ‘ofa ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ia Kalaisi Sisu (Paaki ‘a Uesi)
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week 2 – Genesis 24-25; Psalm
4; Mark 9
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