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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

THE POSITIVE

January 17, 2011

I suppose it's nearly always a good thing to emphasize the positive. To illustrate it, encourage it, focus upon it.

 I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
- 2 Timothy 4:2 TNIV

As Paul brings his letter to Timothy to a close, he wraps up starting in the positive. He starts not in the negative, as in, "don't do," or illustrating the behavior not desired. Instead he pictures the positive. "This is what you need to be doing." The positive.

Discipleship certainly involves aspects of the positive and the negative; however, it's the positive - - the behaviors that grow Christ followers--that's the place to focus. We could avoid and "not do," and still not be growing disciples. Positive. Do these things, says the Apostle.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson