Can you imagine seeing some of the most violent assaults inflicted upon other human beings? 

Can you imagine witnessing grown adults wail in the most excruciating pangs of anguish? 

Can you imagine watching someone die in front of you, due to blunt force trauma?

Can you imagine bearing the brunt of false accusations concerning your background, abilities, motives, and character?

What type of memories will such trauma instill? What mental images are burned into your mind when thinking back on such things? How would you not only work through such things inwardly but respond to such challenges moving forward? 

Perhaps YOU CAN imagine, because YOU HAVE witnessed violence in the extreme. Perhaps YOU HAVE experienced deep anguish, yourself? Maybe you’ve encountered some very gruesome scenes. Perhaps you have had difficulties of your own, compounded by the hurts inflicted by those who profess to be Christlike. If so, you are not alone! Rather, you are in good company. 

Many others have also encountered traumatic situations and have found ways to overcome them. The Apostle Paul not only witnessed such horrible ordeals, but he was the cause of much suffering for others before his conversion (Acts 8:1-3; 26:9-11). Even after converting to Christ, he endured many afflictions for the sake of the gospel (Acts 9:16; 2 Corinthians 10:7-11; 11:22-33). But by the grace of God, he faithfully endured as a servant to others, becoming an example for others to follow! While some boast of their former conduct before becoming a Christian, others may suppress their memories of a lifestyle they escaped through the grace of God. It seems, however, that Paul used his memories and experiences of hardship as FUEL to serve the Lord with even more vigor (1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 3:12-16). If you have gone through traumatic experiences, you can use the grace given to you to serve others with even more passion and dedication.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 

13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 

16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

~ 1 Timothy 1:12-17

We will be looking to the Bible (this week), considering passages that deal with nakedness, clothing, & modesty. Is there a verifiable biblical pattern of public modesty requirements, for both men & women alike, regardless of custom or setting?   

When God created Adam & Eve, they were naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25). But something concerning their shame changed drastically immediately after their first sin (See Gen. 3:7). Therefore, Adam & Eve made themselves coverings (3:7). But those coverings were not enough to cover them to the extent that they felt comfortable in the sight of God; as when the LORD God called for them in the garden, both Adam and Eve hid (3:8). And, when Adam told God that they were hiding because they were naked, notice that God did not disagree with Adam. Instead, God addressed their sin against Him (first), then, “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them.” (Gen. 3:21). Whatever Adam and Eve thought was covering them, God seems to have clothed them further. Think of that when you consider the culture we’ve grown up with. Our culture deems it acceptable for men to have their bare chests & thighs uncovered. Our culture deems it acceptable for women to have much of their breasts, buttocks, and thighs uncovered, also. Where this used to be acceptable only in certain areas (like at the beach, etc.), it is now becoming more commonplace to see such everywhere in public.  

To my God and Father in Heaven: Some coverings men and women make are insufficient to cover their nakedness. May I honor You (and my friends and neighbors) by the way I choose to dress.  

Jesus chose to become a human, and He humbled Himself even lower than the angels. He did this so that He could die for our sins and then be exalted. Through the experience of suffering, He became complete. By doing so, He also became our brother! Through His death, He made the devil powerless!! His humanity also served another purpose: to fully understand our struggles and be our compassionate and trustworthy high priest. He suffered temptation, which allowed Him to relate to our struggles and provide help when we are tempted… In this way, He accomplished God’s plan for the ages!!! 

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

~ Hebrews 2:14-18

Holy God and Father, it is truly a deep matter for me to meditate upon concerning the deity of Christ. For Him to lower Himself, and be obedient to the point of death, all because of His willingness to provide atonement for my sins – is truly humbling. Because of His death, I now have hope to live again, even after I die! Moreover, I see His example of suffering, and it makes me aware of the need for some overcoming I must accomplish in this body. I thank You for Your plan of salvation and ask for strength to overcome every trial and temptation, this very day!! Please grant me spiritual strength through Your Son!!! Amen. 

Paul laid his hands on Timothy to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit, but we don’t know the specifics. Timothy would need the Spirit’s guidance as he confronted the challenges that lay ahead. Paul is reminding Timothy of the invaluable blessing he possesses. It’s easy to overlook our most significant blessings when we need them the most!

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3 I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, 

4 greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, 

5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~ 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Holy God and Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. I am extremely blessed to have obtained my faith in Jesus, and the cleansing power of His blood. I therefore seek to use the knowledge gained from Your word for the greater good, honoring You in all things. Life can be challenging, but with strong faith and guidance from You, I know that I can overcome any obstacle that comes my way. May all of Your people remain steadfast in our devotion to You, no matter what challenges we may face! Amen.

Though some grasp for the sensational things in religion, Paul often encouraged others to simply CONTINUE following the instructions they had already received on how to walk and please God (in other words, preaching isn’t all about telling people something they’ve never heard before as much as it entails exhorting folks to continue in the things that they already know to be true).

Moreover, some are content to stay within their comfort zones and not strive for personal growth, while others look outside themselves for motivation to get to “the next level.” However, according to God, Christians should continually INCREASE their EFFORTS and STRIVE for spiritual growth (while looking to Christ).  

In addition, it is common for people to justify their sinning by saying that “no one is perfect,” but God calls us to LIVE A SPECIAL LIFE by avoiding sexual immorality and refraining from taking advantage of or cheating our brothers and sisters. THE LORD WILL JUDGE all wrongs, and we should strive to live holy lives!

And while it is good to SHOW LOVE towards our brethren, we should aim to do it EVEN MORE! 

We may live in an age where celebrity worship, gossip, slander, and government handouts are prevalent… But God calls us to LEAD peaceful lives and FOCUS on our own affairs, WORKING honestly with our hands, so that we may walk PROPERLY before those who are not yet in Christ.

The summary & applications above are meant to provide some modern applications, but by way of principles for meditation, GOD SAYS IT MUCH BETTER: 

1 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 

2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 

4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 

6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 

7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 

8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 

10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; 

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 

12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

~ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12