Welcome
back! Thanks for visiting my blog!
We
are discovering together what the Bible says about wellbeing. Otherwise, how
can you live a more satisfied, fulfilling life? Recently we have been discussing
the 5 Scriptural tools to maturity (Acts 2:42, 47) as a means to build powerful
Biblically based wellbeing into our lives! Today, we discuss the 5th
and final tool: outreach to other believers and non-Christians.
The
first four characteristics of the early church (prayer, praise, fellowship and
receiving Biblical teaching) were centered around assisting the individual
believer and the faith community itself. However
the 5th principle concerns reaching beyond the established community
to those in need, physical or spiritual. This tool was noted in Acts 2:47 ‘the ‘Lord
added to the church daily.’ Since
we know that to believe in Christ people have to be told verbally (Romans 10:14), consistent with one of Christ’s last commands on earth to ‘teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19), it is highly probable that those in the first church were telling
others about their faith.
Further,
the Apostle Paul urges us to teach others individuals in the faith (I Timothy 4:6, 11, 16; II Timothy 2:25). Even more simply we are to encourage one another
to love and do good works (Hebrews 10:24) and to speak to others according to their
need (Ephesians 4:29).
Beyond
this we are told to do good and pray for all men, be good citizens (I Timothy 2:1-2; I Peter 2:13-15), work hard and honestly to the glory of God (II Thessalonians 3:10-12, I Timothy 2:1-2; Colossians 3:17), and within the church
provide social help to those in need (I Timothy 5:1-16).
Why does
Scripture tell us to reach out to serve and influence others by teaching our
beliefs? We do not know for certain, but we might hypothesize several results
of teaching and serving others:
- It takes our mind off ourselves and focuses on someone else's needs. This most likely is healthy for us and gives our mind a rest from ruminating over our own troubles.
- It orients our goals under those of the almighty God and recognizes His purposes are greater than ours. Therefore, our personal troubles are set in proper perspective, providing a balance to our own mental health.
- It helps build community, both in numbers and maturity, by encouraging a civil and gracious society.
Outreach
and service combine as the last of our 5 tools to
maturity. When practiced in balance according to God's Word these 5 areas will
provide you the opportunity to incorporate the wise characteristics in the
Bible that were known by the apostles and the first generation Christians.
What
are these characteristics that are so beneficial to wellbeing? Join me next week
as we begin our discussion of the Biblical characteristics that can change your
life.
Which
of the five tools to maturity is most important? To participate in our latest poll
question - please visit our website at http://teleiosresearch.com/#anchorpoll
WC Stewart
Response policy
The
purpose of the comment section is to promote discussion that is encouraging,
propels the further search of Scripture and raises interesting and thought
provoking Biblically related questions. You may feel free to disagree with me
in a constructive manner using appropriate language.
I reserve the right to remove your comments if they are profane,
pornographic, libelous or I do not consider them constructive or consistent
with the policy stated above. By posting you no longer own your comments
and you are granting me an unrestricted worldwide license to use your
No comments:
Post a Comment