Timothy and Titus Training 101

As I stop to think about all the people we have told about God’s love, His Ways, how to live to please Him and how to honor and praise Him with all that is in us, I am reminded of one young man, in particular this morning. He had became part of our youth group because, frankly, he didn’t have anywhere else to go and had very few friends. He came as long as his buddy came. I wondered if he was listening and learning or was just there for the snacks and fun.

One night, after a lesson that led to presenting the way to be saved in Jesus, he came to me, alone, and asked a question that made me stop and think. “if I don’t buy in to what you are saying, will you still like me, even love me?” This thought was so profound. Why? Because we have to consistently remind ourselves why we tell it…so others will be saved like we were saved…not so they will be like us, to be counted on the statistical report, acceptable in our sight, become a member of our club, but so they will be saved from darkness and be drawn to the Light of Jesus! Period.

Do we love the people we are trying so hard to reach? Do we love them into Truth, in the person of Jesus Christ? Will we still love them if they say no? Anyone given the responsibility to tell it, led by the Spirit to lead others to Christ should do so from a heart of love for that person or persons to whom you are telling about Christ and His love. I’m pretty sure that it is from this point where Jesus told them,,,from a passionate heart of love. Do we turn away from them, stop loving them, if they do not accept God’s message of Truth the first, or second time we tell it? Will we still love them until they do accept? Are they less valuable to us? Do we give up too easily?

When they do accept Jesus, do we love them enough to build their courage with ways to be like Jesus? Do we care enough to confront so them (in positive ways) in the process of becoming more and more like Christ (not us.)? Are we being the example of living a Godly life in front of them?

My answer to this challenging, thought provoking young man was, “yes, of course, I will.” And I meant it. Over that year a relationship had been built. He did accept Christ and was taught how to love and live like Jesus. He was confronted and disciplined. He was loved and accepted. He found what he was looking for.

Paul to Titus…TELL them. BUILD them up. DISCIPLINE them. Salvation is for everyone. Every. One.

Titus 2, The Message

11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

15 Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.

What do we learn?
–NEVER give up telling the Truth of the Person of Jesus Christ.
–Salvation is for EVERYONE.
–Jesus love living in us has a lot to do with telling someone else how to be saved by grace.
–Tell, Build, Confront, Discipline…from a heart of love. When we do this is a very positive way to lead.
–BE the example with our own lives. How do honor God with my own life is a question we must ask daily.

Dear Heavenly Father, Our mission is clear. Your salvation is for everyone, so we must be ready to tell how to be saved at any moment as Your Spirit leads. Thank you for loving us and putting Your love in our hearts that drive us to tell others about You. Continue to provoke our thinking. Help us to think more and more like You and less like the world thinks.
In Jesus Name, Amen