This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth. Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it. (1 Timothy 2:4-10 MSG)
Paul was appointed to speak the news of Jesus to those who hadn't heard. He spoke it in a way people could understand. But he knew the foundation of belief is prayer not only by him but by the people who believe. There is a power in prayer that gives clarity and warmth to what he's speaking.
Belief in God can be difficult. Even when we tell someone simply and plainly, His grace and truth don't always mean to them what it does to us. Explaining how it works in simple faith and plain truth is our job. Sometimes it just needs some pondering. Sometimes they need more love and grace.
But it comes so much easier if we're not raising our fist at them because they've sinned, whatever the sin. Actually, we've sinned too. The best way to give the gift of Jesus to someone is for us to go into our quiet corner and pray with heart and depth of grace.
Women need to pray humbly also. We have to be careful of our purpose in life being fashion and beauty. But if we pray humbly in our own quiet corner God takes us and in our worship of Him and our request for His wisdom somehow we become beautiful from a way we would never guess.
Comments