* ALL Questions about the Christian Life *

[Patriot]

What does the Bible say about being a godly woman?​

Answer

The Bible has a great deal to say about godliness for both men and women. Most references to godliness do not differentiate between the attributes of a godly man and a godly woman. Both men and women, if they belong to Christ by faith, have exhibited a godly sorrow that “produces repentance leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Without the gift of salvation by grace through faith, no man or woman can be truly godly. The word godly in the Bible means “pious” or “holy.” But piety and holiness are only achieved when we are made new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Born-again Christians are indwelled by the Holy Spirit who produces godliness in us as He sanctifies us and molds us into the image of Christ. By His grace we are able to “live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12).

Godliness manifests itself in our lives when we are in control of our appetites and desires. We live in a worldly culture and must resist ungodly influences around us. One way a godly woman distinguishes herself from the world is by her self-control. She practices restraint and does not give free rein to uninhibited emotions, attitudes, words, and appetites.

The godly woman controls her thoughts, taking them captive and making them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). She controls her emotions and doesn’t allow them to control her. She controls her appetites and doesn’t display an unbridled passion for food and drink. She also controls her tongue, which James tells us is like “a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). The speech of a godly woman is one that edifies and encourages rather than tearing down with idle gossip. The godly woman also does not allow profanity and “unwholesome talk” to come out of her mouth (Ephesians 4:29).

Scripture says that a godly woman dresses modestly and adorns herself with “good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” (1 Timothy 2:9–10). Christian women should be able to see the vanity inherent in the allurements of a world “under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). A godly woman is not fooled by the lies that try to convince her that attractiveness, personal worth, and fulfillment are found in physical, external beauty. The godly woman’s affections are fixed on Christ, her Savior, and she makes every effort to follow His example of good works. She has a heavenly focus, and she seeks to adorn herself with godliness, not worldliness.

Being a godly woman involves living in “purity and reverence” (1 Peter 3:2). The godly woman knows that her beauty does not come “from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes” (verse 3). Rather, she focuses on her “inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. This is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves” (verses 4–5). Peter speaks of the relationship between a godly woman and her husband, referencing Sarah as an example to be emulated: “They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear” (verses 5–6).

The godly woman trains herself to resist the world’s temptations as she practices piety. Like an athlete who uses repetition to become proficient in her sport, the godly woman continually fills her mind with the truths of Scripture. In addition, she appeals regularly to the Spirit to help her train her thoughts, attitudes, words, and desires to reflect those of her beloved Lord. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

The godly woman has “sincere faith” like Eunice and Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). She is kind, like Ruth (Ruth 1:8). She lives righteously, as Elizabeth did (Luke 1:5–6). She is of “noble character” and seeks to follow the example set by the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10–31. She shows good judgment, generosity, and prudence as did Abigail (1 Samuel 25).

For Further Study​

A Woman After God’s Own Heart, Updated and Expanded by Elizabeth George

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[septuagint]

 

[Patriot]

What does it mean to be gospel-centered?​

Answer

The word gospel simply means “good news.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that sinful people can be made right with God by repenting of their sin and calling upon Jesus as Savior and Lord (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9–10). So to be gospel-centered is to be focused on the life-changing good news of God in Christ. We often speak of ministries that evangelize the lost as being “gospel-centered.” Books and curricula and programs can be gospel-centered; songs can relate gospel-centered lyrics; people can live gospel-centered lives.

In Corinth, Paul’s ministry was decidedly gospel-centered: “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). His testimony to the churches of Galatia was the same: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). Sharing the gospel was Paul’s top priority, and he felt a divine urgency to preach it to everyone: “When I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

When we speak of a person who lives a gospel-centered life, we mean that person has believed the gospel of Jesus Christ and has made the death and resurrection of Christ the very foundation of his or her life. A true Christian must be a gospel-centered person (Luke 14:26–27) because Christianity is a lifestyle, not an activity. Knowing about Christ does not make one a Christian; knowing Christ does.

Every human life has a center, that which motivates all decisions. Basically, we are either gospel-centered, or we are me-centered. Even people who seem to be kind and good can be me-centered if their motivation is not to glorify God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31). It helps to define the difference between a gospel-centered life and any other kind of life by looking at a comparison chart:

A gospel-centered life is a Jesus-centered life. When we come to Christ by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), we do more than secure our eternal destination. Salvation is a divine paradox: a free gift that costs us everything we are (see Luke 14:33). Becoming a child of God changes us from the inside out (1 Corinthians 5:17). When the Holy Spirit moves into a repentant heart, He begins to change our desires, our outlook, our motivations, and our opinions (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Hebrews 12:28–29 says that “our God is a consuming fire.” The fire of His presence burns away dross. It burns away that which is inferior and unworthy.

A gospel-centered life is an outward-looking life that is ever ready to share the good news with others. The feet are “fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). The heart reveres Christ as Lord and is “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). A gospel-centered ministry is a ministry of reconciliation whose goal is to share the news “that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Many people have religion-centered lives, benevolence-centered lives, or activity-centered lives. They may even have spiritual lives, but if they have not bowed the knee to the lordship of Jesus, that spirituality will lead them to destruction (1 John 4:1). Only a gospel-centered life can please God (Romans 8:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:4) because it is only through Jesus Christ and His gospel that we can enter into His presence (John 14:6).

For Further Study​

Who Am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges

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[Patriot]

When is it necessary to rebuke another believer?​

Answer

To rebuke someone is to criticize him or her sharply. The Greek word most often translated “rebuke” in the New Testament is elegchó. In its fullest sense, elegchó means “to reprimand and convict by exposing (sometimes publicly) a wrong.” There are times when all of us need to be rebuked, and there are times when a believer needs to rebuke another believer.

We normally think of a rebuke in a negative sense, but Proverbs 27:5–6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Paul instructs Titus, as an overseer of the church, to “speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15), implying that all three activities are of equal importance. We know we should always encourage each other and speak the truth (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:25), but how do we know when to rebuke another believer?

Scriptural rebuke begins in the heart. Before we confront anyone about anything, we should first examine our own motives. First Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let everything be done in love.” That includes rebuke. There is a right way and a wrong way to rebuke someone. Wrong rebuking stems from pride, anger, malice, jealousy, or another selfish attitude. The goal of an unscriptural rebuke is to injure, shame, or otherwise injure a Christian brother or sister. Often, hypocrisy is involved. Most of the Bible’s warnings against judging others pertain to those who condemn others for the very things they do themselves (Matthew 7:3–5). Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Jesus gave clear instructions for handling situations in which a brother or sister is caught up in a sin: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” (Matthew 18:15). There is discernment implied in this verse. We are not to be watchdogs over each other, because we all sin in many ways every day (1 John 1:8; James 3:2). We all sin in thought, word, attitude, or motivation. But when another believer is choosing sin that harms himself, someone else, or the body of Christ, we are to intervene. A rebuke is necessary at times, as we must look out for each other. James 5:20 says, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” Confrontation may be difficult, but it is not loving to allow a professing Christian to continue in a sin that will bring God’s consequences upon him or his family or his church.

Matthew 18 goes on to clarify what is to be done in church discipline if a confronted believer refuses to listen to a loving rebuke. Jesus says, “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (verses 16–17). This may sound harsh to our tolerance-saturated minds, but this is Jesus talking. The purity of His church is of utmost importance to Him. People who want to claim His name while defiling His reputation must be rebuked, not overlooked or excused.

If the church as a whole took Jesus’ words more seriously, our voice would be more respected in the world. When we neglect to address grievous sins in the church, we appear to take sin lightly. Skeptics can’t respect our claim to honor the Bible as God’s Word while we ignore those of our number who are overtly disobeying it.

Sometimes, believers are hesitant to rebuke those who need it because of abuses in the past. Some churches or pastors have been overly eager to rebuke others or have used Scripture to humiliate and ostracize those who disagreed with them. Such judgmental behavior has led some church leaders to forego the application of the Matthew 18 standards entirely.

A simple checklist can help individuals know when it may be necessary to rebuke a sinning Christian. We should never be hasty or rash in a rebuke. We should evaluate each situation carefully and prayerfully and ask ourselves these questions:

1. Is my life free from similar sin? (Romans 2:1)

2. Do I have a relationship with this person that allows me to speak into his life? (Galatians 6:2)

3. Is my motive that of restoration rather than condemnation? (Galatians 6:1)

4. Would I be willing to have someone rebuke me in the same way? (Matthew 7:12)

5. Do I understand Scripture well enough to know how and why this person is violating it? (2 Timothy 2:15)

6. Am I prepared to go to my pastor or elders on this person’s behalf if he refuses to listen to me?

7. Am I willing to commit to praying for this person’s healing and restoration before and after I confront him? (Matthew 26:41)

8. Is this offense truly a sin or simply an act of immaturity or preference? (Ephesians 4:2)

9. Am I acting in love? (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Galatians 6:1 tells us, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” When we are called to confront or rebuke a fellow believer, we must always do so in an attitude of humility, knowing that we too are prone to sin. We can follow Jesus’ golden words in this and every other situation: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

For Further Study​

Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus by Jonathan Leeman

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[Patriot]

What is the importance of finding good role models?​

Answer

A role model is someone who provides us with an example for living and choice-making; someone we desire to follow and emulate, for good or ill. Most of us have someone we look up to, be it a teacher, parent, friend, pastor, or a celebrity.

The Bible recognizes the influence of role models. Parents are natural role models: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction / and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). Church leaders are role models of righteousness: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7). And teachers wield great influence in shaping lives: “Everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher” (Luke 6:40).

If we are unwise in our choice of role models, we run the risk of being led astray and to compromise our beliefs and morals. Proverbs 13:20 warns, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Thus, the Bible stresses the importance of finding not only a good role model but a godly one.

Jesus is the perfect role model, of course. Although He suffered the same temptations we do, He remained sinless throughout His life (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus spent much of His spare time in conversation with His Father (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35), He showed love and compassion (Luke 7:13; Matthew 15:32), and He worked hard (John 5:17; Matthew 9:35). Jesus, the Son of Man, is a role model to all, and there is none better to follow. We are to “follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Throughout the Bible, the Lord often called imperfect people to act as role models, including Moses, Elijah, King David, Simon Peter, and many others. The apostle Paul often spoke of his important job as a role model for the early church (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:5–7; 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9). Peter warned of false teachers within the church who would be negative role models: “Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:2).

When it comes to finding a good role model, a good thing to consider is whether the person you look up to consistently seeks to imitate Christ (see 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21). Does this person display the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)? Does he or she strive to live in harmony with others (Romans 12:16)? No human is perfect, and everyone will falter at some point in their lives (Romans 3:23), but if you can answer “yes” to these questions, then you have probably found a good and godly role model.

For Further Study​

Making Disciples - One Conversation at a Time by D. Mike Henderson

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[Patriot]

How should a Christian treat his/her boss?​

Answer

The Bible speaks strongly about submission to authority, and a boss is a rightful authority. When we accept employment, we are agreeing to place ourselves under the authority of an employer to work at whatever task we’ve been assigned. Following a chain of command is God’s design for civilized society, which functions best when everyone understands God’s design and their role in it. Romans 13 commands believers to submit to governing authorities. Ephesians 5:22 commands wives to submit to their husbands’ authority. And the church is to submit to Christ’s authority in everything (Ephesians 5:24). So Christians should treat their bosses the same way Christ would treat those bosses.

Colossians 3:22–24 is addressing slaves, but the principles in that passage can be equally applied to employees at any rate of remuneration. Paul says, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Christian employees should work for their bosses as if they are working for the Lord Himself.

When we keep in mind that everything we do can be an act of worship (1 Corinthians 10:31), we will relate to supervisors in the workplace in a way that represents Jesus well. We can show respect to our bosses, even if they are not respectable. We can give honor, even when our bosses are not honorable. We can obey commands, even when they seem unfair. Of course, we can also appeal decisions we believe are wrong, but we can do so while still conveying integrity and respect (1 Timothy 5:1). The only biblically supportable reason to defy a boss is if the boss demands we do something illegal or against God’s will (see Acts 5:29).

Christians should treat their bosses in such a way that would not prevent them from sharing Christ with their bosses, if the opportunity arises. When we do everything with an eternal purpose in mind, we have wisdom in sticky situations and never have to fear that we have brought reproach to the name of Christ.

For Further Study​

The ESV Study Bible

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