Do you Follow? In His Word 1-30-23
We hear it said a lot that we are “better together” Why do
you think that is? Is it scriptural or just a man made idea? Let’s look, In His
Word!
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am
there among them.” Matthew 18:20
Well, that is a start,
but I think though the concept is there to join together in a group of two or
three, its not quite what I was looking for.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each
other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be
attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are
even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken Ecclesiastes
4:11-12
That is more like it! When we are alone we can do things,
but it is better to be with another person or people because together we are
stronger, we are warmer, and we are better. Especially when we do it for the
Lord.
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all
for the glory of God. Don’t give offense
to Jews or Gentiles ,or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I
do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that
many may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Imitate me, just as I
also imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
This is why I like the whole idea of mentorship. My mentors
and mentees can form a bond that is stronger than what they would have if they
were floundering around. And it is that way for both ends I am told. Those whom
I have mentored in the past have caused me to grow stronger, to dig deeper in
the Word to be able to support them in a time of need. I would never have
thought of some of the things they have told me, and I would not have known
that they were there to support me as I needed the support as well.
The thing about being a mentor or mentoring is that it is
not always a formal set up. Sometimes you are mentoring someone without even knowing it.
The image we wish to portray is that of Christ not of ourselves.
Paul had it right when he said not to
copy him but to copy Christ in him as he was imitating Christ—His mentor was
Christ Himself via the Holy Spirit.
When we lead a life group, or mentor someone, or teach, we need to portray the same Spirit as Paul
did; that of God in our lives. It does not matter if you see yourself as cool
or a nerd, it matters who you are in Christ. That you are willing to be used by
Him as He grows you in His image is what counts the most. The Word of God says,
“be sure your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23) this is true the most when you
have someone watching you sin. If its someone who admires you they will think
you gave them a ticket to sin, or they will be devastated that you did such a
thing and no longer trust you. Either way it’s a bad outcome. As Christians we
know better. Yes, I did say that! We
should not walk blatantly into a sinful situation , whether it is a glass of
wine that leads to another, or a fight that puts anger in our hearts, if we
know to do the right thing and we do not it is sin. (James 4:17) As we lead one
another we need to be sure that we are walking the walk, and not just talking
the talk.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
“I do not pray for
these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are
in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,
that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they
may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17 20-23
Even Jesus mentored to us, so we could mentor to others. The
over all idea is that we need to follow the steps we need to take to lead
others properly, and we must first follow Jesus, and His example before we can
lead someone else down the right path.
So, in order to mentor properly we must follow Christ and allow
Him to be our Mentor.—one reason they suggest you be in a life group before you
lead one is to get accustomed to being led by Christ through a leader so that
you and I can in turn lead others in Christ.
If you do not think you can mentor anyone look around you and think again.
You mentor
Mentoring someone in a life group, whether it’s one on one
or ten on one, is encouraging them to follow Jesus- in you—
In His Love,
Teresa Wilson