Timothy- an Example for the Rest of Us.

Dodger:  Hello again!  Thanks for coming.  How are you doing?  Pretty well?  I've been enjoying this month supremely.  I went on a hike with my family yesterday and we saw the top of a mountain.  It was pretty cool.

Lilly:  I've been chilling out at home.  I'm planning on going to a park next week with my friends, though.

Dodger:  That should be fun.  Oh, by the way, I got an email from someone with a question.  Care to take a look?

Lilly:  Sure!  Let's see it!

Dodger:  Here it is.  I printed it off and tore the paper a little bit, but the message stayed the same.~  If you click on it it will show up bigger.

Lilly:  You know, that's not a bad question, and thankfully it has a very straight answer: the Bible is the standard by which people must live.  God uses it to show us what's right and wrong and gives us instructions on how we should live our lives everyday.  These standards aren't just for adults either.  They're for everyone.

Dodger:  I agree.  Let's look at 1 Timothy 4:12.  I like this verse because it reminds us that young people can serve God well, and in fact are expected to.  Just because we're young doesn't mean we need to live in mediocrity.

Lilly:  Um... mediocrity?

Dodger:  Oh, right.  It means "ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding"*.

Lilly:  So it means just acting non-special and forgettable, or even of lower quality.

Dodger:  Yeah, basically.  I think I forgot to look up the verse though.  Do you have it?

Lilly:  Yep. "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (NKJV)

Dodger:  I like that.  It's kind of helpful to remember that God works through people of all ages.  I think sometimes we figure that God does His work through adults, and not younger people.  That's not what the Bible says, though.  It calls each of us to a high standard and tells each of us, old or young, to be an example to others.  The way we act is very important to God no matter how old we are.

Lilly:  So we can see that we need to be an example to believers, and although the verse doesn't explicitly say so, we need to be an example to non-believers too!

Dodger:  There were six ways we were told to be an example in that verse.  I'll try to explain each one as best as I can:

• In word-  What we say should reflect what Jesus would say.  Our words should glorify God and build others up.  By the way, if you want a wallpaper about that just click on the arrow looking thing. ---->
• In conduct-  The things we do should be to obey and glorify God.  If others see us acting in an exceptional and Christ-like way they will want to know why.  Who knows?  Maybe your example will lead someone on their first step to Jesus!
• In love-  We should love others as Jesus loves us, which is unconditionally.  This includes treating others as you would want to be treated even if they don't treat you that way.
• In spirit- Your attitude reflects where your heart is.  If you have a good attitude people will know your heart is the right spot and they will be more inclined to listen to you!
• In faith-  How we exercise our faith is important.  If we believe God, and others can see us doing it, they will often be inspired to do the same!
• In purity-  Have a clean conscience.  Confess when you mess up, and live your life at all times as if you want to please God!  Do the right thing, and others will definitely notice.

Lilly:  The way we live is important to God.  You're never too young for Him to do things in and through you.  After all, He's God!  He made you and knows you inside and out. Ephesians 5:1 and verses 8-11 say it well. "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children...For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (NJKV)  You're a child of God, so now you can live like it, and show off your Father to the world!

Dodger:  The Bible sure is good at explanations.

Lilly:  I'm glad too, because otherwise I'd have a hard time figuring a lot of really important things out.

Dodger:  You said it.  Well, it's time to go again.  Thanks for stopping by!  Remember, Jesus loves you, and that's not about to change!

Lilly:  Oops, I mean, Good-bye!

*Dictionary definition from WordNet 3.1

(NKJV Means New King James Version)

"That's All Folks" image acquired from http://www.syncharder.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/12-04-03-thats-all-folks.jpg, a page not owned or operated by

 I-BulldogStudios

~Please note, the e-mail was written by the author and is not an actual email.