| | | | Teaching Others - Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14
The other day I saw a video interview of a popular pastor and his wife discussing the topic of gays in the church, and they made a statement that caught my attention: "Its not our job to tell people how to live."
I have to take exception to that statement, because the bible teaches us that while it isn't our place to judge people (Matt 7:1), it is our place as Christians to teach people how to live.
One of the great admonitions the apostle continually makes is that Christians grow up into Christ so that we're able to instruct one another. Paul wrote to Timothy:
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2
And not to leave the ladies out, he wrote to Titus:
…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands… Titus 2:3-5
I'm not talking about being a busy-body, or acting like sin-sniffers, going through the church pointing out people's sins. I'm talking about being willing, as mature believers, to come alongside a Christian that is still battling with sin, the old nature, and being willing to teach them the ways of Christ.
See, I've found that Christians (especially young Christians) aren't very receptive to being judged, or having their sins called out in an abrupt manner, but many are receptive to someone coming alongside them and helping them to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ. But it's up to those mature in the faith to be willing to take the time to lovingly teach them the things we've learned.
But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. Eph 4:20-21
"Lord, help me to fulfill the calling in my life to teach and encourage another believer in their faith."
Pastor Clay | | | | | | | |
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