We’ve been exploring what Paul might have had in mind when he wrote:

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed. (Romans 6.17, ESV, emphasis mine)

What is the standard of teaching? The Greek word for “standard” is typos, also translated “pattern” and “example,” the very word used in 1 Timothy 4.12:

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example

• in speech,
• in conduct,
• in love,
• in faith,
• in purity. (1 Timothy 4.12, ESV), bulleted for clarity)

The past two days, we talked about love; today, faith.

What’s the pattern Paul has in mind when he calls Timothy to set an example of faith? Probably not initial, saving faith; presumably Timothy’s church “members” had that already, as do all or nearly all of the folks reading this blog.

We have enough faith to believe Jesus died for our sins, but do we exercise any of that faith in daily life? 

There is the well-known passage in James 2: faith without works is dead, reminding us to exercise our faith by helping those in need.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2.14 – 17, ESV)

Faith that’s worth anything produces action.

• By faith Noah built an ark. (Hebrews 11.7)
• By faith Moses chose to join the oppressed in Egypt rather than live with the oppressors. (Hebrews 11.24 – 27)

What will they say about us?

• By faith Bob wrote the daily Ewellogy praying that there are folks out there reading and taking action as a result.

• By faith we didn’t panic at the daily dose of negative news and apparent downward trends in the culture.

For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8.11 – 13, ESV)

• By faith I responded to God’s call to take on the forces of evil by… [ you fill in the blank]

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6.113 – 18, ESV, emphasis mine)