11/09/2022 - SINCE OUR FOREFATHERS

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I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,  2 Timothy 1.3

Serving God is the greatest privilege a Christian can have. It gives him a position of intrepidness to be used by the Most High in doing His work. In eternity, he will be rewarded even for a glass of cold water – a simple message from the Word – that he gave to one of His disciples (Matthew 10.42). In God’s eyes, no matter how small, nothing goes by Him unnoticed and without His reward. Without a doubt, He sees everything and gives back (Matthew 16.27).

Paul gave thanks for the faith of his forefathers in the Lord. The inheritance of pure faith in God is the best in life. With it, we have the power to get ourselves rid of tremendous and dangerous trouble. This ability is in us, so we don’t have to put up with any adversity. Bad situations are darts from the enemy trying to keep us away from communion with Heaven. We must never forget the instruction: Watch and pray [...] (Mark 14.38).

It’s good to serve the Almighty with a clear conscience, and not with insoluble problems, which will be left for the Day of Judgment, when there will be no love, mercy or forgiveness. The Most High has warned about this: Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison (Matthew 5.25). Be wise!

Paul was thankful that he hadn’t done anything to get in the way of his attitudes towards anyone, not even Timothy himself. This virtue must be sought while we are here. Besides enabling us to experience the fullness of blessings, it will enable us to go up with Christ at His return. Therefore, have God’s Word as the arbiter of your actions in the face of the attacks of the kingdom of darkness. Fight, pray and live!

A pure conscience enabled the apostle to recall the behavior of the one whom he considered his son. Now, we have something to learn from those whom the Most High allows to be by our side. We are taught by Him at every moment, in every attitude of other people and even in the way they pray. By calling him his son, Paul showed the happiness of having that young man as a student, who absorbed the lessons and, without knowing it, transmitted others to him that were from Heaven.

Timothy was probably unaware that he had been placed not only to learn from Paul, but also to teach him. Without ceasing, the apostle made mention of the disciple in his prayers. This shows us that he was thinking of Timothy and his decisions concerning everything. It would be so good if we paid attention to the things shown by the servants of the Lord who are next to us. God uses many to instruct us, but we often don’t even realize it.

Have a pure conscience! Never store up bad things for that Day; otherwise, you may be condemned. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5.24). Let your garments always be white (Ecclesiastes 9.8)!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares