Alternative

Alternative

Adapted from Bishop Roberto Jemmott’s daily publication “Words of Encouragement" – The Lord's Servants Must Excel (October 16, 2014)

Growing up I hated when my mother would tell me not to do something without given me an alternative or another option. My mother would say, "Don't go swimming in the lake." I would question her as to why I should not go swimming in the lake, and she would answer "because I said so." I hated that response and I promised myself that I would never say it once I became a parent, but when I became a parent I did the same thing. What my mother should have said when I questioned her was that the lake was filled with alligators and that I should only swim in the pool or beach. The Bible is replete with alternatives, one such text is Ephesians 5:18 (NLT): "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,"

The Second Epistle to Timothy was written during Paul's second arrest and imprisonment, which eventually resulted in his execution. This Epistle was Paul's final message to his spiritual son Timothy. Paul warned Timothy that he should not quarrel; but that he should be kind, teachable, and have patience when dealing with difficult people.

"A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people." 2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)

Notice the one negative (must not quarrel) and the three positive things that Timothy needed to excel in rather than to quarrel with people. Let's look closely at each positive thing Paul instructed Timothy to excel in.

First, be kind; not just to the saints or his friends, but to everyone, even those outside the faith. Remember, kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit. "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"   Galatians 5:22 (NLT)

Second, he tells Timothy to teach at every opportunity. As believers, we need to be teachers not only with our words but with the lives we live. "Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 2 Timothy 2:1b (NLT)

Third, Timothy needed to learn how to be patient with difficult people. This is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do because difficult people don't make it easy for us to be patient with them; nevertheless we need to do it. Here is my confession and prayer:  Lord, you know I need help being patient with difficult people!

Remember, the Lord's servants are to be kind to everybody, teachers of the Gospel and patient with difficult people.

Be Blessed,

Bishop Jemmott

Believers' Ethical Living

Believers' Ethical Living

Adapted from Bishop Roberto Jemmott’s daily publication “Words of Encouragement" - Believers' Work Ethics (October 9, 2014)

The following paragraph was taken from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics web page, the article was written by Thomas Shanks, S.J.:

"In The Leadership Compass, John Wilcox and Susan Ebbs write, 'Moral behavior is concerned primarily with the interpersonal dimension of our behavior: how we treat one another individually and in groups — and, increasingly, other species and the environment.' The key here is that morality brings us into contact with others and asks us to consider the quality of that contact."

As believers what is the quality of your contact with others, do they see Christ from your contact? Is your contact different from that of the world?

As believers, our morality is governed by the Scriptures and when we come into contact with people who have a different morality how is the quality of that contact? Does the contact bring glory and honor to the Lord? Read Paul's instructions on how our lives should contact and impact the world of the non-believer.

"Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others."

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT)

When we fail to live ethical lives as believers we allow the world to criticize the Church because of our behavior. It's time for believers to live according to the biblical standard. From the above text the Apostle Paul gives us instructions on how to live ethical lives:

First - The believer must "live a quiet life"; a better translation could be to live a tranquil life. Have you ever met someone who is boisterous, always talking so that every one can hear his conversations whether you want to are not! Well Paul instructs us to be the opposite of that person. However, living a tranquil life is not hiding behind closed doors, waiting for the rapture; it's going about living our daily life in a tranquil fashion.

Second - As a believer you must "mind your own business"; don't be a busy body. Let me tell you what Paul is not saying, he is not saying that we should not get involved in the community, work place or the church. What he is saying is that we should not be gossipers or walk around stirring up strife.

Third – Believers, you must "work with your hands"; in other words, be productive. Every believer should be productive; we should not live from hand-outs, we should work. God created us to be fruitful and to multiply; everything you need to succeed is within you.

If we practice these fundamental principles outlined in the Word of God for living ethically, non-believers will not only respect our way of living, but will also join us and become believers.

Be Blessed

Bishop Jemmott