Wednesday, April 29, 2015

In recent visits we’ve considered what it takes to become a good Christian mentor. We found that a good Christian mentor is properly motivated. He makes sure he is a true child of God and recognizes God has a special place for him. He seeks to fulfill this calling with intensity. He also lives for others. That is, he has compassion for those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior, compassion that is expressed even with tears. Finally, he lives for eternity. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” In these two verses our assurance of belonging is affirmed, our emotional detachment from this world is implied, and our expectation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is eagerly anticipated. Do you have assurance that your citizenship is in heaven, secured by God Himself? Paul did. Listen to what he wrote in 2nd Timothy 1:12, “I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” God wants us to build our lives on the foundation of that hope. In fact, it is that assurance that helps us detach emotionally from the things of this world. That doesn’t mean we should not enjoy what God has provided for us, but we should not be chained to it. More on this in our next visit.