Stick By The Stuff
Like it or not, we all have to
make stands in our lives, Christians especially. Someone will come along and challenge our
wherewithal. That's how we learn to stand strong.
When we were raising our kids, my
kids were a great to help me, especially on Sunday morning. They made sure my clothes looked right, my
hair didn't have some rat's nest left over from the night before, my tie was on
straight, my clothes matched and if I had my Bible along on Sunday
morning. They didn't do this to be
critical of me. I never told them,
"Stop it, you are judging me!" I knew they loved me and wanted the
best for me.
As parents, we watched over the
kids. We made sure teeth were brushed, shoes were polished, attitudes were
good, and that we left on time. We did
this out of love for them.
As a pastor, I realized that the
preacher preaches the Bible, not because he loves chewing people out, but
because he loves his flock. He is always ready to preach, which includes
bringing things to people's attention (reprove), correcting (rebuke) and
teaching what's right (doctrine) patiently and persistently (longsuffering).
He will stick by the stuff, he
will stand with the Word of God. Just
like parenting, he needs to stand up for the Word of God. People will always
know what he believes, whether they agree with him or not. They will know where to go when they need
answers - as long as he sticks by the stuff.
We will all have our mettle
tested. We are all preachers of whatever we believe. We will all stick by the
stuff or back down when tested.
"Preach the word;
be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine.” II Timothy
4:2.
© copyright Kevin T Boekhoff
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