“…Be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” –1 Timothy 4:12
My mother loved sewing. She specialized in beautiful quilts, clothing, dresses, pants suits. She was so passionate about it. I loved to watch her. And she made sure each of signed up for Home Economics in school. She promised to help each of us with our class projects of sewing. With seven daughters, she got to do it a lot. When my turn arrived, we shopped for the pattern for the clothing. A pants suit and a quilt that we made when I was sixteen. The quilt was well made and I kept it into adulthood. I always looked at it with fond memories.
The pants suit, not so much. Don’t get me wrong it was well made enough to wear. I only wore it to one significant event. One of my older sisters became college Homecoming Queen, first African American to do so at that college. But back to the outfit, while sitting in the stands I kept noticing little things that I had missed.
So I never wore it again. I don’t sew anymore but I still use patterns and templates throughout my life and business. It gives you a short cut and big jump into a skill if you don’t
want it to look cookie-cutter.
Do you have fond memories of watching your mother do anything, like cook, sew, comb hair…? Or someone you looked up to, did they do something exceedingly well? You know that’s
the way God designed a lot of our learning experiences. Even in the church, we find ourselves mimicking the lead pastors or our elders. It’s o.k., remember that’s how
many of us learn best. The Apostle Paul in the book of Hebrews says it like this, “Imitate those who go before you in the faith, who have inherited the promises through faith and
patience. He encourages us with these words, “After having done the work of faith, you have need of patience so that you may inherit (receive) the promise.
- Created Beforehand For Good Works.
Before the foundations of the world, God lovingly planned the good works we were to do.
…For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10 - Our Pattern Is Jesus
Jesus is our great example to start with. He serves as a firstborn of many of the new creation, we were destined to become. Being continually made and formed into the image of Christ, thereby growing up into the full stature and maturity in Christ. The Scriptures tells us in Titus 1:16, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” - Let Your Light Shine
As Christians we are all called to fame. Hence, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill that cannot be hid…Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. –Matthew 5:14-16 - God Does Not Forget Your Good Works
God is faithful to remember your good works. He also is a God of recompense and reward. He even pays us back for the troubles we’ve seen. He is careful to reward your faith after a season of faith. When God is in it, he makes it worth the wait. In Scripture we are often asked to wait on God’s movement, his hand. The Hebrew writer writes, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work (good works) and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” –Hebrews 6:10 - Be Zealous for Good Works
God calls us to be zealous for good works. He’s a rewarder of those who diligently pursue the work of God. It’s how the local church is operated under the leadership of Lord Jesus. He is our Redeemer who Scriptures tell us he purifies for himself a people that are zealous for good works. In Titus 2:14 the writer explains, “Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” - Stay Strong – Don’t Give Up
Daniel from the Old Testament, yes the same Daniel that was in the Lion’s den and was spared. He prophesied hundreds of years before Christ was born, how it would be one of Satan’s top intents to ‘wear out the Saints.’ So, the Galatians writer gives sage advice, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9
In summary, we realize afresh that we were created beforehand for good works, know our chief pattern is Jesus, let your light shine. Remember,God does not forget your good works–he is faithful to reward. Be zealous for good works and stay strong to not give up. Have a blessed week!
Earma Brown, 12 Book Christian Author, Publisher, Founder of Grace Covenant House
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