We need to be people who, to an extent, meet public expectations for the sake of the gospel. We cannot be selfish people who are in love with ourselves. We cannot be hypocrites who have the outward semblance of godliness but in actuality deny the power of God. No, we need to be people of love especially, because we will be people who must suffer for the gospel.
We need to be people who remain in Scripture. Whether the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament, Scripture is part of who we are as believers, and it teaches us and encourages in the faith. Scripture helps us learn. Scripture helps push us in the right direction. Scripture helps restore us with each other and also with God. Scripture helps train us for right living. Scripture helps us be mature, complete people–whole humans–who can do every good work. When we teach, we need to teach through Scripture, so that we can help push others in the right direction, restore others to each other and also with God, and encourage others to live rightly.
Let’s build up the church by living rightly in accordance with Scripture and taking into consideration public expectations for the sake of the gospel.
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Iakobou 