Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:2 (NIV Study Bible) – “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Message: I recently read a story about an older teacher grading students’ papers and marking them in green rather than the customary red ink.  When ask by a younger teacher why green, she explained red ink comes across as aggressive and angry while green seems comforting and nourishing.

That got me to thinking.  I think every Bible I own is a red-letter edition.  Meaning if Jesus is speaking the text is in red.  Did Jesus really speak in red, or was he really speaking in green?  

For the most part I believe if Jesus’ language could be seen it would be green and not red.  When Jesus was speaking it was mainly in a compassionate, caring and encouraging manner.  That is why we think of Jesus as our teacher, rather than our boss.  We readily see His love for us in the words He is speaking.  Words of encouragement and comfort, guiding us along the path of righteousness.

So, as we take Timothy’s advice let us do it following Jesus’ example.  Let us speak, live, love and have faith in the soft compassionate color of green.

Prayer: Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son on our behalf.  We ask that You color us in the soft shades of green in our speech, our love, our faith, and our purity, so those we meet in our lives will come to know we are passing on to them the love of Jesus.  Amen.

Jack Frye 2 of 2