There is nothing that is going to have more significant lasting effects on those around us than living a life of faith. Like ripples in a pond, the life we live in this life affects those in this lifetime and beyond in ways we may not realize. In many ways, faithful believers, including myself, have affected those who have come to faith.
Paul knew this to be true as he wrote Titus to encourage him to teach righteous living. Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. [1] We all want to impact the world as we journey through life; when we let the Lord work through us, that comes true.
Self-Control
Children often don’t control their emotions and desires when they are small. A meltdown as a child is one thing, but it can be disruptive and painful to others when it persists into adulthood. One of the fruits of the Spirit Paul writes about in Galatians 5:22-23 is self-control. As a believer, the fruits of the Spirit are an outgrowth of our relationship with Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
The fruit of self-control helps us resist worldly temptations that easily trip us up. Self-control also guides us as we make decisions. Our Savior, Jesus, is our role model of self-control because He lived a perfect life and possessed all the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was sent to this earth to carry out His Father’s will, living a perfect life as an example for us to follow. Jesus’ first words from the cross were about forgiveness as He exemplified self-control during His ministry’s most trying time.
Faith, Love, and Patience
Today, the Lord may be drawing you to faith or helping you to grow in faith because the Lord has great plans for you. I believe the Lord’s plans for you are beyond what you can imagine as His hands mold and shape us. The hands of the Lord are kind and loving, bringing encouragement and correction. As the Lord molds us, He desires us to grow in faith. The Spirit may call you to spend more time with the Lord in prayer, His word, and worship. As the Lord shapes us, other fruits of the Spirit, such as love and patience, begin taking place in our lives.
Being around people of faith who are loving and patient is like a warm spring day after a cold winter. Spending time with the Lord is a beautiful gift because we don’t always realize the change the Lord brings into our hearts. You may be the person the Lord wants to work through that is an example to others. Yes, we are all a work in progress, but God can use believers in all stages of development to make a difference in the lives of others.
To learn more about living a life of faith, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/lead-with-integrity
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Tt 2:2). Tyndale House Publishers.