The Replacement Principle (Part 3)

Season 3 Episode 8 -- In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul encourages believers to not merely run away FROM lust, but he also said what to run TOWARD (godly character qualities) and WHOM TO RUN WITH (other believers).  But what is the importance of that last part -- to run "together with those who call on the Lord?"  And can you give me some practical, everyday examples of how to do that?  To find out the answers, check out this episode!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast, where I share what I am learning about following Jesus, through applying eternal biblical principles to life, in practical ways.  Not religion, but RELATIONSHIP - relationship with Jesus!
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Worship Is My Weapon" podcast by Rita Springer:  https://youtu.be/RucXhr1zYGU?si=WeVTpssmUP4rMXlL 

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

Transcript

In last week’s episode, I gave two examples I recently discovered of the Replacement Principle, stated succinctly in this passage:

2 Timothy 2:22 ISV  Flee from youthful passions. Instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.

Note in this passage that Paul did not merely say to run away from lust, but he also said what to run toward (godly character qualities) and whom to run with (other believers).  

To summarize:  The Replacement Principle states that we are to turn our focus away from what we are NOT to do, and turn our focus toward what we ARE to do (and who we are in Christ), and join with others who have the same focus.

Today, I want to elaborate on the last part of this principle:  pursuing godly character qualities “together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.”

There are MANY verses that elaborate on this important principle of joining with others who have the same focus.  As has been said often, we cannot live the abundant life alone.  As believers, God made us to need each other.  We each have different gifts and callings to contribute to the body of Christ.  In fact, Paul used the word picture of the physical body to describe the church as the body of Christ:

1 Corinthians 12:14-18 NASB  For the body is not one member, but many.  (15)  If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  (16)  And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  (17)  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  (18)  But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  

Did you catch that?  God has placed each of the members in the body, with unique gifts and callings and roles, to collectively serve the body.  And this is “just as He desired” and designed it to be.  We need one another!

Here are some other passages that emphasize the importance of spending time with other believers who have the same focus:

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  [Meeting together (in worship services, in small groups, in church service opportunities, etc.) is a powerful way to encourage and serve one another.]

Romans 12:10 ESV  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  [Showing honor to someone goes beyond merely loving out of duty.  Showing honor recognizes someone as being made in the image of God,  and having intrinsic value worthy of our respect.  When we view others as God views them, it makes it easier to be around those that we might normally find a little difficult to fellowship with.]

Acts 2:42 ESV  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  [Live, in-person fellowship (such as praying together or eating meals together) is an important way to encourage and serve one another.]

1 Peter 4:9 ESV  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  [It is important to not only serve one another, but to do it with a cheerful attitude.]

1 John 1:7 ESV  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  [As we individually draw near to God and walk in the light He gives us, we will in the process be drawn near to each other.]

Will you join me in purposing to turn my focus away from what I am NOT to do, turn my focus toward what I AM to do, and join with others who have the same focus?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”