Last time, we talked about choosing our friends wisely and not partnering ourselves with unbelievers.  But why are these things important?  Why did God command us to keep ourselves separate and not allow the world into our personal lives?

Paul gives us the answer in the next few verses:

​Life is a race.  The starting line was our birth day and the finish line the day we breathe our last.  From point A to point B we are called to run with purpose, endurance, steadfastness, and faithfulness, not looking to the left or the right or becoming weighed down by sin, but running straight towards our goal—Jesus Christ. 
 
While we understand that we should avoid sin and all that weighs us down in our race of faith, there is one key factor that I believe we often overlook.  A factor that can either spur us on to greater faithfulness and stronger running or completely derailing and sidelining us from our calling.  This key factor is who we run with.

​What did you learn from meditating and pondering this passage?  Did the Holy Spirit open your eyes to any new insights, truths, and revelations?  I’d love to hear them in the comments section! In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at these eight key attributes of a faithful servant of God.

​Last week, we looked at what it meant to be ambassadors of God.  And while we discovered our duties, responsibilities, and mission through that study, we were not given a practical example of what faithful service as an ambassador of God looks like.  But never fear, this week we’ll spend both studies closely examining an amazing example of faithful service in the life and testimony of the Apostle Paul.  We’re going to be looking at a lot of qualities, attributes, and characteristics and yet, we won’t have time to cover everything.  Nevertheless, let’s see some of the things Paul has to share with us about faithful service as God’s servant.