Scripture:
1 Corinthians 4:16-17
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.”
Observation:
Paul is challenging the church in Corinth to not only be hearers but doers. Paul is so confident in the gospel message and gospel power in his life that he doesn’t just say “consider looking at my life as a guide” he urges them to become copycats. One person who did this was Timothy. Timothy not only listened and sat at the feet of Paul, learning all he could, he put it into action. How do we know this? Because Paul is sending Timothy on his behalf. Timothy has spent so much time around Paul that he can represent Paul when Paul’s not there.
Application:
This is discipleship. Discipleship isn’t a 3 credit class you graduate from. Discipleship looks like a lifetime of deciding to sit at the feet of a Paul-like person.
2 intentional moves this week:
1. Find a Paul
2. Be a Paul
If you don’t have someone pouring into your life and challenging you to know Christ, find that Paul-like person. Call the church, do whatever it takes! Sitting at the feet of a Paul takes intentionality, time and commitment but it’s how God’s wired us to know Him.
Also, don’t just find a Paul, be ready to be a Paul to someone. Paul sent Timothy, maybe you need to find someone this week to be a Paul to. A gospel centered life that is moving towards the goal of Christ likeness will always include this cycle of being discipled and doing discipleship.
Community is crucial. Let’s fight this fight together.
Prayer:
God forgive us for being so easily distracted and so easily conformed to the patterns of this world. Transform our heart. Give us a taste of the treasure that you are. Keep us from running to all the broken cisterns this world offers. Guide us to the everlasting, all satisfying water so that we may never thirst again. Amen