Transformer - 10/25/2020

Echo the Words

In his final letter to Timothy, Paul, among other things, instructed Timothy to “retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me” (2 Timothy 1:13). Why would it be important for Paul to give such an instruction? To give such an encouragement?

Timothy had heard many times Paul teach that his message was from God and not his own message. It was important that this message be repeated in its original form without alteration.

The English word “retain” comes from a Greek word with the meaning to hold onto something. It is from this Greek word which we get our English word “echo,” which means “a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound waves.”

When we consider the concept of an “echo” we are only hearing what was originally said. There are no extra words added. There is no commentary added. The original is what is repeated and should be “retained,” or held onto firmly.

There are many words in our language which use “echo” as a prefix. There is an “echocardiograph” which uses sound waves to take a picture of our heart and the functions of the heart. Echoacousia which means a small disturbance of hearing in which the sounds seem to be repeated. Echoaortography which uses ultrasound waves to reproduce what is going on in the aorta, especially in the abdomen.

In all of these uses we understand that what is produced by the sound waves is an exact representation of the original object. No one questions the authenticity of the “picture.”

Going back to the instructions Paul gives to Timothy, Paul wants Timothy to hold onto the words which he has heard from Paul, and to repeat the same teachings which Timothy has heard from Paul (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul is expecting Timothy to not deviate from the message which Paul had taught.

By way of application, we should be learning the words spoken by Paul, not only those to Timothy, but also to everyone else to whom he has written. When we are speaking on biblical subjects, we should be repeating the words spoken by Paul and the other New Testament writers. Without alterations, we should be “echoing” what was written by these first century authors. We should be holding onto what was taught by these speakers for Jesus who proclaimed God’s message.

In applying this principle, we will be searching for the original message. We will be holding onto that message. In our teaching we will be educating others about this message.

By faithfully “retaining (holding onto) the standard of sound words” taught by Paul, we will be “echoing” how one is to be living God’s way. - cgm

Thinking on the Word…

Imitators of Us and of the Lord

In Paul’s introduction of his first letter to the Thessalonians, he told them how he expressed to God his thankfulness for how they had received the gospel “with full conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5) and had become “imitators of us and of the Lord” (v. 6).

The goal of Paul’s preaching was that people would change their life. Paul knew that what he was doing was pleasing to the Lord and he did not mind people following him as they also tried to imitate the Lord. To the Corinthians he wrote “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

What we want to think about is, how did these people gain “full conviction” that Paul was right? What did he present to them that would persuade them to change their life and “imitate the Lord.” After all, how can a person imitate someone “who is perfect, like Jesus”? There seems to be three reasons why they were fully convinced.

Paul used “power.” This seems to be the miracles which he would have done in their presence. This would have persuaded them that he was speaking from God.

Paul used the “Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit would have given Paul the words that he needed to speak. From the book of Acts (chapter 17) we learn that Paul reasoned and explained things to the Jews whom he met in the synagogue.

Paul used his own life as an example to these people whom he had never met. The way that he conducted his daily affairs was impressive to these people.

Today, the miracles which were performed in the New Testament should convince us that these men were speaking from God. As we examine their lives, we should see reasons to be “fully convinced” that what they said was from God.

The real question to think about is, “If people are impressed with our lives, could we use the New Testament to teach them?” Would they become fully convinced like the Thessalonians? Would they be fully convinced to “imitate the Lord”? - cgm

Words of Wisdom

“He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.” - Proverbs 11:12

A wise man will not express his thoughts concerning his neighbor especially if he has a strong dislike for him, but rather will keep those thoughts to himself. A man who lacks sense or understanding will not. So why does he do it?

A wise man has learned how to control his tongue. Experience has told him that sometimes there is no way that he can express his feelings or thoughts and “look good” in doing it. Through trial and error, he has learned that he cannot “win” in this type of situation. He “just knows” this is not the right thing to do.

On the other hand, the man who “lacks sense” has not learned all of these lessons. Maybe he has not had the time to learn through experience or “trial and error.” Maybe he really does not “care” about the relationship between himself and his neighbor. He is concerned only about himself. He wants everyone to know that he “despises his neighbor” and his neighbor is not as good as he is.

The man who “lacks sense” does not realize that in talking about his neighbor in this way, that the other neighbors are developing an opinion about him. This will soon cause him to “despise” these neighbors and before too long, he will be talking about them too. He will wonder why “all of his neighbors” do not like him. On the other hand, the neighbor who “keeps silent” is liked by all the other neighbors. Why?

We do not like to hear one person express their hatred for another person. We want to hear good things expressed about our neighbors. We want differences resolved in a peaceable manner with everyone “acting like adults.” We do not like to see the “immature behavior” of a person who is an adult.

It’s much easier to “keep silent” about a person if you do not despise them. Use your “understanding to resolve the reasons for why you despise your neighbor. Until then, continue to keep silent. - cgm