The fact is, anyone (or anything such as news) with
promoted self-confidence, often finds it easier to judge, to correct, to self-right, to condemn, to marginalize, to exaggerate, to bias, to bait,
to antagonise, (and the list goes on);
THAN
To love.
And that counts for many people, whether religious or not. The corrupted mind, has often eroded its connection with love. And remember God is Love. All love branches from God, through the human example of God which is Jesus.
Without such importance to love, what is someone capable of doing or becoming? Even if they know 'logically' what is right and live in constant resistance to sin, doesn't love bring us to somewhere where we are not in constant resistance because the problem which is 'our self' or 'our self-importance' or 'our flesh' is less apparent?
Those who rise above their low esteem, or come out of their silence, always have the opportunity to use that self-alignment (which should only be unto the Holy Spirit), to better promote God through being Christlike (the way, the truth, and the life) in how they do it. And no I do not necessarily mean by telling people to read the bible, or quoting scriptures at everyone, advocating God rather than offering a helping hand and a kind heart.
I see more God in a loving, kind, humble, and supportive human being, who may or may not be religiously affiliated, than Pharisees who will always say indirectly through their promoted self-confidence that only they teach you and no-one teaches them (and if you dare try). Beware false teachers. We all remember how much we didn't love teachers like that at school. But when you were a child, do you remember the teachers that you loved? You will remember what makes a good teacher. Loving, kind, humble, and supportive. More Christ-like.
Live the Word, don't just quote it. Practise what you preach. And I admit I have a lot to learn myself in such things, but I try always to be humble.
[h=3]A little personal advice[/h][SUP]
12-16 [/SUP]Don’t let people look down on you
because you are young (
child-like?); see that they look up to you because
you are an example to them in your speech and behaviour, in your love and faith and sincerity.
Concentrate until my arrival on your reading and on your preaching and teaching. Never forget that you received the gift of proclaiming God’s Word when the assembled elders laid their hands on you. Give your whole attention, all your energies, to these things, so that your progress is plain for all to see.
Keep a critical eye both upon your own life and on the teaching you give, and if you continue to follow the line I have indicated you will not only save your own soul but the souls of many of your hearers as well.
