May all of us seek to live a life that is “approved.”

What a special blessing this week, we experienced 8 men ordained into the Gospel Ministry! To make and follow through on such a decision to serve God and His people is truly humbling. Let me take a moment and share a quote from Donald Barnhouse concerning the word, “approved:”

“In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honor who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called "dokimos" or "approved." Donald Barnhouse

This little history lesson has a purpose. When the ordination was held the men were reminded of the Scripture verse, II Timothy 2:15 which read:

“Study to shew theyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

These men who were ordained and committed to the Gospel this week were challenged to study and show themselves to be “approved” unto God. Their lives need to match their commitment. These men are and will by God’s grace continue to be men of honor before God and men. Please take a moment to pray for our Christian leaders and especially the new Pastors and their wives who commit themselves to a life of significance and commitment. May they and all of us seek to live a life that is “approved.”

Copyright 2010 © Charles Lyons

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