Your 24/7 Companion – Day 11

To bear fruit, implies that you as a believer will glorify him in whom you believe and who lives in you, with your lifestyle. To say it differently, his presence in you ought to be the driving force to be an example to others in your life.

1 Timothy 4:12 mentions a few things that your life should radiate: “… be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Firstly, the believer’s words should be acceptable to him (Psalm 19:14) and when we talk to people, our conversations should be of good taste. Furthermore, it should be helpful, build them up according to their needs and impart grace to them. Unwholesome talk does not fit this picture (Ephesians 4:29).

The Holy Spirit in us cultivates fruit that is expressed in our conduct or our way of living. Galatians 5:16-22 gives a very clear picture on what conduct should characterise a believer’s life, so that God will be honoured. If you and I recognise some of these listed things in our lives, we must realise that we’re not living from the Spirit in us (our 24/7 Companion), but that our conduct is being determined by the lust of our flesh. Only when the Holy Spirit determines our conduct, purity can become a reality – that quality described as pure from defilement, not contaminated.

The love and faith we should radiate as an example to people can be described as that all-encompassing love for and faith in him that oozes from us, and becomes visible to people around us.

The author also gives a warning to Timothy (and us), “take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.” Every now and again, we should put our lives and doctrine under a magnifying glass to see if we are still sound and on track. Why? “… for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

It is possible to live a life that honours God, but only in total dependence on the One who lives inside of us.