PAULA WISEMAN

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Active or Passive?

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iStock_000018106934XSmallWhen I edit I look for and correct passive verbs. Passive verbs mean the subject is acted upon rather than taking action. I find it’s often easy for me to be passive as a believer. That’s not what being a believer is about.

Jesus called us to action.

  • Go.
  • Preach.
  • Baptize.
  • Teach.
  • Love your neighbors.

The New Testament writers encourage us to be active, like Paul did with Timothy.

  • Be an example.
  • Reject false teaching.
  • Flee ungodliness.
  • Be diligent.
  • Be strong.
  • Hold fast.
  • Preach the word.
  • Convince, rebuke, exhort.

Do you ever find it’s time to edit the passive parts and replace them with active ones?

 

 

Be An Example

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J0341447Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

 

In Greek culture, young people didn’t have much credibility. Paul wanted to Timothy to shatter those preconceptions by his lifestyle of commitment to Christ.

In our culture, a host of things can strip us of our credibility.

 

Let no one despise your (bank account, car, home), but be an example…

Let no one despise your (education, experience), but be an example…

Let no one despise your (past, failures), but be an example…

 

No matter what people see that gives them an excuse to discount you, be an example.

 

 

Imitating Runners

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Last Saturday, my husband, two of his running buddies, and my son took off to run the Polar Bear Dare. It's a 10K trail run – up hill, down hill, in the mud, through thigh deep water, and repeat for an hour and a half or so. It was physically strenuous, mentally taxing … and really muddy. My husband threw his shoes away after it was over. 
 
My son ran a 1 mile event, but after hanging out with the guys, he said he wants to run the 10K next year. He knows what the race is like, but something about Jon, Jay and Bobby and the other runners made him want to run the way they do. 
 
I think that's an amazing compliment. 
 
Now let's apply it to our lives as believers. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Do you know someone who has a faith that inspires you? Maybe someone who has faced the same kind of trials you have. Someone who makes you want to run like they do.
 
The flip side is more challenging. Do we encourage others to persevere, to step out in faith, to try hard things just by the way we live our lives?  Does anyone look at us and say I want to run like she does, or like he does? If not, now's your chance!
 
Good luck and watch out for the mud! 

Rewards

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Last week we looked at the fact that we can't earn our position in God's kingdom. He doesn't publish new rankings ever Monday morning so we can compare how we're doing versus all the hypocrites. He just loves us and pours out His superabundant grace on us because He's that way.
 
Yes, He calls for obedience and promises rewards for our faithfulness and stewardship. The New Testament mentions a host of different crowns – a crown of life, a crown of righteousness, a crown of glory, and others. These aren't "royalty" crowns. The Greek word is one used for the crown athletes won. Think of it like a kind of gold medal.
 
Frankly, I've not seen too many fellow believers sporting crowns or even gold medals. That could mean one of two things. None of us are really believers so we don't get them. (doubt that) Or we haven't received them yet. (I think that's the one.)
 
Clearly, our actions in this life result in rewards in the next life. I cannot comprehend that amazing moment standing in God's presence and hearing Him say, "Well done." But here's the thing – When we receive our rewards, I doubt we'll be measuring how our fistful of medals compares to the measly one or two the hypocrites have. Nope. As soon as we receive them, we're going to turn around and present them to Jesus. We couldn't have gotten them without Him. When it comes right down to it, He gave us everything we needed to get those rewards in the first place.
 
Sometimes I picture it like our VBS offering. During VBS this summer, right before time to take up the offering, the preschool teachers went down their rows handing out nickels and dimes. That way every little one in the class had something to drop in the plate. No one was left out. Everyone got to participate. For the kids, that's what mattered most. Maybe the whole reason we get the rewards is so we can have a part in honoring the King of King and Lord of Lords to the glory of God the Father.

Running Buddies

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Not too long ago, my daughter was flirting with the idea of running some challenging fall races. She likes the idea of running, but the doing… not so much. As she was preparing to head out one afternoon, I overheard her brother coaching her. "It will probably hurt, maybe the whole time, but you have to keep going. That's how you get stronger."
 
Good advice. It made me smile for a couple of reasons. One, he's younger and rarely gets to coach her on anything. Second, I had said very similar words to him one morning not too long ago when his leg muscles were rebelling. 
 
 
In my experience, runners are extremely helpful with advice and tips for those of us who haven't been lacing the shoes quite as long. I rely on my husband and his buddy, Jay, and a few online coaches. But I also do my best to encourage my kids, offering to train with them or race with them. 
 
 
I've written before on the subject of being 'in-between.' I think it's a critical part of our Christian walk, that constant learning and sharing, teaching and mentoring in the body of Christ. Consider these three benefits.
 
It strengthens the bond between us. Think back through the challenging times in your life. Do you feel a connection to those who counseled you or walked through those times with you? Or maybe there was a time when you were there for a friend or family member.
 
It encourages both people. New Testament writers Paul and John both mentioned the joy that came with hearing the new believers were standing firm, taking their teaching to heart and living out the truth. It's a real blessing to have someone invest themselves in you.   
 
It models Christ. In the beautiful prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus mentions several things He received from the Father that He, in turn, gave to His followers. So we should freely give all the encouragement and insight we've received.
 
 
Who are your running buddies?

Study Tip: Philemon

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Philemon is a super-short, one sitting, under ten-minute read. It's a very practical demonstration of reconciliation and peace-making in the body of Christ.
 
There are three people to consider. 
The Apostle Paul, the author of the letter. Paul was a prisoner in Rome.
Philemon, the recipient of the letter. The church in Colossae met at his house. His wife and son were also devout Christians.
Onesimus, Philemon's runaway slave, who had stolen a large sum of money before he ran away.
 
Paul led Onesimus to the Lord and sent him back to his master with this letter. We shouldn't interpret this as an endorsement of slavery or an obligation to return slaves to their masters. Slavery was a social and political reality in Roman times. Paul was advocating the restoration of the relationship between these men who were now brothers in Christ.
 
Philemon was within his legal rights to have Onesimus put to death. Paul urged him as a friend, brother and mentor to act with grace rather than assert his rights under the law. Consider the following as you read.
 
 
  • List what you learn from the text about each of these men.
  • What is Paul's tone in the letter? What does that tell you about the role of a peacemaker?
  • Have you ever been in Philemon's position – wronged and facing a decision on how to receive the one responsible? How did you respond?
  • How is Onesimus like all believers?
  • BONUS: I think Paul's passionate intercession on behalf of Onesimus comes from his own experience with John Mark. He mentions Mark in v. 24 here. Read Acts 12:25, 13:13, 15:36-40, 2 Timothy 4:11 to get a timeline of the relationship between them.