HALLOW LIVING
2Timothy 2:14-26
V.15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2Timothy 2:14-26
V.15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
“How are you going to dress up?” Cassie asked Brenda, walking to their school bus.
“Not telling! Mom got me a costume last week, and I love it. You’re just going to have to guess, Cassie!” Brenda giggled at Cassie’s open mouth.
The last day of October, in the United States, is a fun holiday where kids and some adults dress into costumes and party. The name of the celebration is Halloween. This is shortened from the original “All Hallow’s Eve.” We don’t use the word hallow much anymore, but in Scripture, the word hallow means sanctify. This means to make holy, make sacred, or consecrate, set apart.
The name of God is not the only thing that believers hallow. (In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us, “Hallowed be Your name”, Matthew 6:9). St. Paul urged Timothy to be a vessel sanctified and useful for the Lord. This is for us today, too. We’re to live “hallowed”, or righteous, every day.
This means that Christian believers are to be set apart from the world by pursuing righteousness, loving others peacefully by faith. With a pure heart, we are supposed to avoid foolish and stupid arguments. We’re to resist quarrelling and evil desires. Senseless fighting causes disputes.
The Lord’s disciples (you and me, all believers) must not squabble. We’re to be kind to everyone, ready to teach without offending. If anyone opposes us, we’re to gently instruct the truth. Our hope is that God will lead them to His Word. This is the only way they can escape the devil’s trap of taking people captive to his will (2Timothy 2:24-26).
“What are you guys dressing up as?” Brenda said to the kids boarding the bus.
Randy pretended to whip a sword up and down, “a pirate, matey. Dare to board my ship?” He ran onto his bus laughing.
Trevor and Jesse looked at each other, then Jesse said, “We’ll be soldiers in a foxhole, back to back.”
The kids hope to fill their bags to overflowing with sweet treats as they parade from door to door, or to parties in neighborhood centers.
Take Home Nugget
Does thinking of these sweet treats remind us to be uplifted while set apart from the world? How do I present myself to others? Is my face set in an angry frown, or does my mouth stay in a ready smile that welcomes interaction with others?”
Is our greatest satisfaction being used for God’s Kingdom?
J.D. Griffith
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