Bible Thoughts

December 3, 2001

While Paul was staying in Athens he made this statement before the people, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects"(Acts 17:22). Much like Athens of old, our country is very religious. Often there seems to be a church of some sort on every street corner, a pronouncement of faith on each person’s lips. Though people are becoming increasingly worldly, especially when compared to times 30-40 years ago, there is still a great desire to worship God. Mainstream Christianity still maintains a strong hold on our culture, yet alternative beliefs such as Islam and eastern modes of thought are becoming increasingly prevalent as people grow dissatisfied with “traditional” Christianity. Even so, the growth of these movements demonstrates a real desire to worship a higher being.

In this country we believe tolerating these varying beliefs(rightly so, since God allows man to freely deny him) but religious tolerance in practice actually seems to be religious indifference. Anyone who believes in the authority of Christ and the Bible as the Word of God has to recognize that any religion that denies Christ or perverts the teachings of the Bible is idolatry. Idolatry is elevating something above God. God has given all authority to Christ. When people deny him, reject his teachings, or otherwise minimize him they are idolaters.

How then can a believer of the Bible look upon the state of this country and not be provoked? Paul was tolerant of the Athenian’s religion but he was not indifferent. He recognized that if they continued in their ignorance of the Lord that they would not receive Christ’s blessings. They would not receive the hope of eternal life. They would not be free from the bondage of sin. They would not be able to commune with their Creator. They would be lost, damned for eternity because of their ignorance and unrighteousness. God would not be glorified and man would not be saved. Paul was provoked to action because he would not have this things be so. The blood of these Athenians would not be on his hands, their voices would not rise from the grave saying, “Paul! Why did you not teach us Christ?”

Does the inevitable fate of your countrymen provoke you to action? When Christ’s doctrines are perverted to suit the minds of men, God is not glorified and souls are lost. God would have all saved. By the inaction of Christians, God’s will is left unfulfilled because in this age he has chosen to work through his people. Paul recognized that it was his duty to speak on Christ’s behalf, and though many did not accept his words and thought him foolish, some people did hear. Today it is our duty to speak on Christ’s behalf so that God may be glorified and souls saved. The desire to see God’s glory manifest in all things should stir the Christian today even as it did Paul nearly 2000 years ago.-Scott Huston

There lived in the days of the early church faithful men who could be relied upon and whose dedication to the Lord was such they were ready to follow the Lord, even suffering for His cause. Such a one was Tychicus. We might add Timothy, Titus, Sylvanus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, and a host of other disciples, both men and women.

There was something about these faithful children of God that guided them in their activities, their zeal, and their willingness to follow the paths of righteousness. They were not half-hearted disciples who gave up when the "going gets tough." Whether they lived in moments of peace or moments of opposition and persecution, nothing prevented them from their loyalty to the Lord. Their respect for the gospel motivated them to endure, with joy, whatever came their way. Such faith is worthy of imitation by all disciples of Christ. The character of Tychicus is evident from the description given by the apostle Paul in the above passage.

Tychicus is described as a "beloved brother." He reached that level of respect because of his life and his attitude. Being a brother in Christ meant something to this man as well as the others mentioned in the New Testament. The very nature of Tychicus caused him to be "beloved." This word, in the original, is derived from the strongest Greek term that describes love. Tychicus was not just a friend, not just an acquaintance--he was a "beloved" brother. All disciples need to so live that they are, without question, loved by other disciples.

Tychicus is described as a "faithful minister." The word minister denotes servant: he was a faithful(trusted) friend who could be depended upon. What he promised, he fulfilled. He served the Lord and the brethren in such a way that Paul could depend upon him. The life of a righteous person is a life of service.

Tychicus is described as a "fellow-servant in the Lord." Paul viewed this brother as someone who would stand beside him, even when adversity arose. The apostle could depend upon this saint to inform the brethren at Colosse of Paul's affairs. Only a faithful servant of Christ would be entrusted with such a mission. Tychicus had proved himself worthy of Paul's confidence through the life that he lived.

Tychicus lived what John wrote: "And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also"(I John 4:21). How do I compare?