THE CHOSEN GENERATION

Paul did not fail to tell Pastor Timothy to be ready to enforce his Church leadership role in 1Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”. ‘Despise’ is kataphroneō (kat-af-ron-eh’-o) which comes from [kata (kat-ah’) (A preposition) ‘down (in place or time)]’ and [phroneō (fron-eh’-o) ‘to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience)], means: ‘to think against, that is, disesteem’. Tupos is the Greek for ‘example’, pronounced (too’-pos): ‘a die (as struck), that is, (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy a shape, that is, a statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specifically a sampler (“type”), that is, a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning)’. Tupos: this is what leadership entails.

To the parents, especially the father, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it [Proverbs 22:6]. The word ‘train’ is an interesting one, it is chanak (khaw-nak’): ‘properly to narrow; figuratively to initiate, catechize or discipline’. The interesting thing about this word is that, the Lord expects you to carry out a spiritual strangulation on your child to narrow him out of eternal destruction by initiating the child in the cult of Jesus remember what God testified of Abraham in Genesis 18:19. Just as Israel is eternally in God’s calendar, so will that initiated child not depart from ‘the way’ (or, ‘his way’) which you have instructed him in (once truly saved, always, in Jesus’ name, saved). The parents are to invest in their children because, “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth [Psalm 127:4]. Those who allow demons to take over their sense of reasoning will be led with gross impunity. Jesus had them in mind for warning in Matthew 24:45-51. Verse 46 says, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing”.

Public officers should not forget what John the Baptist told publicans in Luke 3:13, “And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you”. And to the armed and law enforcement agents Luke 3:14 has this: “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”

Some people think that they are too smart to be dealt with by the Devil, negatively. Such ‘intelligent’ ones ought to read Pauline’s 1Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”. Peterine writing also warned in 2Peter 3:17, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness”. The Lord Jesus exhorts in Luke 21:34, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares”.

There is only one solution to not being eroded by this incursion. Get born again. You can get the spiritual, new birth by praying this simple prayer which you must believe with all your heart before it will work. Say: “Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that Jesus died for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I believe that Jesus is LORD and I receive Him as my LORD and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen”. Maintain the new birth by: 1. Praying always (in the name of Jesus) 1Thessalonians 5:17. 2. Read the Bible everyday (Joshua 1:8). 3. Go to Church regularly (Hebrews 10:25). 4. Tell others about Jesus (Mark 16:15). (Concluded)

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