8 Images of a Christian

~ Word Pictures of the Effective Christian in 2 Timothy 2 ~

In this single chapter of the Scriptures we find five specific analogies of things to which an effective Christian is similar.  Then we have a passage of application of the qualities of those word pictures.  Finally we have three general analogies of an effective Christian.  In each of the eight images, or word pictures, there are characteristics which should be present in the life of a child of God.

Son  ~  “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (verse 1).  A son belongs to a family.  Key aspects of family relationships are affection and love.

Teacher  ~  “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (verse 2).  Teachers faithfully impart knowledge and wisdom.

Soldier  ~  “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (verses 3-4).  Soldiers speak of subjection to authority and endurance even in tough circumstances.

Athlete  ~  “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (verse 5).  An athlete must possess well-developed skills and follow the rules.

Farmer  ~  “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops” (verse 6).   Farmers are faithful and are compensated for their work.

application:  “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.  Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.  Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  This is a faithful saying: for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.  If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers” (verse 7-14).

Worker  ~  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer.  Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.  Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (verse 15-19).  Key characteristics of an effective worker are accuracy and diligence.

Vessel  ~  “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (verses 20-23).   There are good and bad vessels.  The Christian is encouraged to be a good conduit that is clean and ready for use.

Servant  ~  “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (verses 24-26).  Key qualities of an effective servant are humility and obedience.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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A Busy Chapter

~ An 8 “P” Outline of Acts 12 ~

The twelfth chapter of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles displays interesting interactions between a variety of individuals—which is a good picture of the early Christian church. 

Persecution of the Saints (Herod’s violence directed at the early believers)  ~  “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.  Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.  Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.  So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover” (verses 1-4). 

Prison for the Servant (Peter is released from prison after being incarcerated for his faith)  ~  “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.  And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.  Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’  And his chains fell off his hands.  Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals;’ and so he did.  And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’  So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.  When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.  And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people’” (verses 5-11).

Prayer by the Church (in Mary’s home)  ~  “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.  But they said to her, ‘You are beside yourself!’  Yet she kept insisting that it was so.  So they said, ‘It is his angel.’  Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.  But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.  And he said, ‘Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.’ And he departed and went to another place” (verses 12-17).  

Preservation by the Lord (through His angels)  ~  “But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison.  And he said, ‘Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.’  And he departed and went to another place.  Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.  But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.   And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.  Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king's country.  So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.  And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’  Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died” (verses 17-23, especially 17 & 23). 

Punishment by Herod (the guards sentenced to death)  ~  “Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.  But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.  And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there” (verses 18-19).

Progress of the Word (God’s power on display)  ~  “But the Word of God grew and multiplied” (verse 24). 

Pride and It’s Punishment (Herod gets his due)  ~  “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.  And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’  Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God.  And he was eaten by worms and died.  But the word of God grew and multiplied” (verses 21-24).

Perseverance by the Disciples (Barnabas and Saul specifically cited) ~  “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark”( verse 25).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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The Life of Faith

~ 5 Aspects of a Vital Faith ~

Obedience to the Faith   ~  The first vital spark of true faith produces a dynamic salvation.  “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen” (Romans 16:25-27).

Living by Faith  ~  After receiving salvation there is a responsibility to live by faith. In so doing we receive the sustenance for our new life of faith. “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:19-21). 

Walking by Faith  ~  We are to walk by faith in obedience. “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). 

Praying in Faith  ~  Praying in faith brings blessings. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:13-18). 

Fighting in Faith  ~  Finally, as the Christian fights in faith, victory is gained. “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:11-16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ in Esther

~ Jesus Christ is Our Mordecai—Our Advocate ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

As we read the book of Esther, we find that Jesus Christ, The Messiah, is foreseen in the life of Mordecai.  Jesus Christ is our Advocate. 

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Esther.  

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).