Romans 2:21a English Standard Version (ESV) you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?

The truth of God is appropriate for all. As we prepare lessons for others it is inevitable that some of the lessons being taught have not yet been learned by the teacher. This is God’s way of reminding us that we are not perfect in performance and that we need to learn the lesson first before we teach it. Even if we have to learn the lesson as we prepare the lesson plan, we need to take that learning to heart before we share it with others.

If we do not do that then there is an intolerable word that will appear; hypocrite.

Romans 2:21b English Standard Version (ESV) While you preach against stealing, do you steal?

While that sin might not be known to the student, God knows. One does not have to confess it to the students unless God insists. Confessing it before the Lord requires that we commit to Him and ourselves to turn from sin and return to the path of faithfulness.

Surprisingly walk and faith are only mentioned in the same sentence twice in the New Testament. In Romans 4:12 we are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Abraham, the father of faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 is the familiar quote “We walk by faith not by sight.”

In contrast walk and spirit are used in the same sentence 10 times in the New Testament. While it might be noted that walking in the spirit is mentioned 5 times as much as walking by faith, was it noted that the flesh diverted our attention away from the lesson to be learned?

This is what the flesh does. This is like a magic trick, diversion is at the root of all trickery. The flesh does not want us to learn the lesson God is setting before us.

My combat training taught me that distractions indicates proximity to danger.

Stop, look around, and seek what God is saying in those moments.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5 English Standard Version

² for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. ³ For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, ⁴ begging us earnestly for the favor^[a] of taking part in the relief of the saints— ⁵ and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Footnote ^[a] says that the Greek word charis is interpreted favor here. This is the root word for charity. They are begging for the opportunity to be charitable in the midst of extreme poverty. When they ran out of money to give, they gave of themselves.

Charis is interpreted 130 times as grace. Grace in its most used definition is unmerited favor which is reserved mainly to describe God’s favor toward us. In this case these Corinthians in a selfless act desire to give grace, to give of themselves. What more evidence needs to be shown that God abides in the hearts of these people than these acts of grace?

Verse 7 ends with these words; “see that you excel in this act of grace also.” Paul recognizes and applauds their effort because it is showing the abiding presence of God. More often than not when people have exhausted everything, they think of charity as receiving, not giving. They pray for resources and not the opportunity to serve others.

When you have nothing left to give, give them your heart.

God did.