Subscription Lists

The Way

    by Kevin Pauley

Role Models
Date Posted: October 5, 2021

Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 HCSB

Simply knowing that there are holy people in the world who have reached new heights of sanctity and love can inspire us. We sometimes find it difficult to know how to put God’s commands into practice and it makes it much easier when there is a saint to whom we can cling just as they cling to God. We can bask in the reflected glow of this righteous person. Granted, they are like the moon, reflecting the light of the sun which produces its own light, but we can walk in that reflected light with a certain degree of confidence nevertheless.

Some Christians are so brimming with joy that it makes you happy just to be around them. Oh, you have a million Christians who walk around with their lips pursed and their brows creased, living lives characterized by bigotry, paranoia and criticism; but every once in a while you find a truly holy saint. They are characterized by their love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness and faith. But these Christians do not merely walk around with smiles perpetually pasted on their faces. If that were what attracted us, we’d be just as attracted to someone taking valium!

No, what attracts us is their holiness. Deep in our hearts, we know that joy is a byproduct of right living. True joy cannot be imitated in the long term. That peace that only comes from a right relationship with God cannot be manufactured through drugs, alcohol, sex, prestige, power or material wealth. Our spirit, which is the part of us that was created to be in contact with God, tells us these things. But our soul, which is composed of our mind, will and emotions, rebels to this fact.

When someone challenges our behavior, our sin-wracked soul rises up in righteous indignation and tries to justify our actions. When we feel conviction for our sins, our sinful souls cause us to resist and sometimes lash out.

Pastors are not immune to this effect. I struggle with my sinful nature as much as anyone out there – maybe more. Why more you ask? It is because the devil works harder at taking out God’s leadership. Witness the number of pastors who are taken out of play due to pornography, alcohol, adultery, or embezzlement. Then there are those who have to step down because their children have been caught up in sinful lifestyles, or their wives rebel to living constantly in a fishbowl, subject to the criticism of small minds. Satan works overtime on pastors’ families.

This can lead a pastor to weaken his stance, to try to compromise and not make waves. A pastor can easily become a convert to the religion of political correctness. But when we do we fail our people. Our job is not to teach them political correctness and tolerance. We have been called to preach Christ; to preach salvation that can only come through Christ; to exhort to good works; to sound the trumpet for holy living. Then and only then will our people see true holiness and begin to enjoy the joy and peace that they long for.

Notice what Paul said about bringing people to Christ and the church. “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.” (1 Corinthians 14:24-25) Being “PC” won’t cut it. Being tolerant of Judaism, Islam, Buddhism or cults simply won’t pass muster. To bring people to acknowledge God, we must preach and model holiness.

Are you seeking joy and peace as primary elements, or do you understand that they are merely byproducts?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Psalms 91:11

Read Article »
Biography Information:
I make no claim of superior wisdom or originality. I am a student, just like everyone else. My goal in writing is to simply share whatever God chooses to teach me (many times by my children or parishioners) on any given day. I hope the devotionals are a blessing to you.

Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
Got Something to Share?
LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.