You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.
Remember the “Like Father, Like Son” commercial from 50 years ago? Not many do I suddenly realize. The son does everything his father is doing on a walk, including…reaching for a cigarette. It is a powerful reminder that we teach, every minute of the day, whether we know it or not, by our actions. Paul seemed to realize it perfectly well as he referenced his teaching to Timothy before listing along with it the other ways he taught; his way of life and the fruit of the Spirit. Then he listed the things he went through that teach perseverance and trust in the Lord. He was stoned and left for dead because he lived for Jesus.
I am sure you can think of someone who taught you great truths without a chalkboard or a microphone, but with the way they lived. Most of my mentors have no idea that they were mentoring anyone but I was watching to see what godly men do in certain situations. I was Timothy and they were Paul as I followed their teaching from a distance. May we remember that we may be teaching someone right now by the way we treat someone or how we handle difficult situations. May we also continue to learn from the example of godly mentors who don’t know it.
Dear Lord, thank you for the shoulders of giants we can stand on and for the cross Jesus hung on. May we learn from them and him today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church