Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, THAT your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 THAT ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till (with a view toward being ready for) the Day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
| Day 8—Those who will serve in the Kingdom with Christ must maintain a transparent character. |
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Those of us who have others under our leadership must pray that those who follow us will take it as their goal to excel for Christ’s Kingdom. This means they must hold an intense desire to know the Word of God. They must learn to keep their lives ever moving toward praying without ceasing. They must hold a moral standard for their own lives so that nothing can ever disqualify them from inheriting the Kingdom.
While some ground may be gained by demanding this of those in spiritual training, much more can be accomplished by holding them before God’s Throne in prayers and supplication. This is so for ministers of the Gospel, for public school teachers, for teachers in Christian Academies, for parents—yes! Especially for parents!—for youth leaders, and on we could go.
While teaching and praying for those under one’s care are both important, it is exceedingly important that those who lead set a right example by their own lives.
II Thessalonians 3:7-9—For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(MSG) We showed you how to pull your weight when we were with you, so get on with it. We didn't sit around on our hands expecting others to take care of us. In fact, we worked our fingers to the bone, up half the night moonlighting so you wouldn't be burdened with taking care of us. And it wasn't because we didn't have a right to your support; we did. We simply wanted to provide an example of diligence, hoping it would prove contagious.
DEAR LORD JESUS, I praise You for the example You have set for us. Your standard is most excellent. Help me, as I follow You, to set an example for others to follow. O, Lord, You know my weaknesses. Please cause the Spirit Who worked in You to work in me. Keep me from being just “religious.” Make me into a godly person for Your Kingdom who also walks as a man/woman of God.
Paul set the example for those he was leading.
—II Thessalonians 3:7-9
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