Can I Have an Example, Please?

 

Jeff Schreve  Crosswalk.com

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12

When I was working in the chemical business, I had a customer named Dave who worked at the power plant of a major university. He was a quiet man with a great reputation among the other plant employees. One of the ladies who worked there told me, “Now, Dave … he is a real Christian.” Dave was not a hypocrite. He walked the talk. He was an example to the rest of the people at the power plant of what a true Christian really is. His speech and conduct glorified Christ. Because his walk was genuine and exemplary, his influence was great.

THE KEY TO GREAT INFLUENCE

Many people desire to live a life of great influence. To be sure, that is a good and godly desire. But how is that desire achieved? The answer is simple: through example. Paul told Timothy to show himself as “an example of those who believe.”

If you name the name of Christ, people will watch you like a hawk to see if your walk matches your talk. If it doesn’t—if you let your tongue loose in evil, if you listen and laugh at the dirty jokes, if you gossip about your boss and coworkers, if you lie, cheat, and backstab to get ahead—you will be quickly dismissed as just another Christian hypocrite. But, if you present yourself as genuine and true (not perfect because no one is), others will take note and will respect you greatly, even if they don’t agree with you. You will have influence on your job, in your neighborhood, in your school, and in your church. A godly example is a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.

Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” How sad, but how true so much of the time. Gandhi was looking for a godly example, but he found none. A poem I like says this:

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

I’d rather you go with me than merely point the way.

The eye is a more ready pupil than ever was the ear.

Good advice is often confusing, but example is always clear.

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.

LOOKING WITHIN

As you take a long and sober look into your own heart, what do you see? How is your example? If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Do the people you rub shoulders with each day see Jesus in you? Are you letting your light shine? If not, why not?

The Lord has called us to come out from among them and be separate. He has called us to be holy and live godly lives where we deal with sin and walk in the light with Jesus. God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit are available to each one of us. And only by His grace and power, can we rise above our circumstances to be the shining examples He has called us to be.

The world is watching. Your friends and neighbors and workmates and classmates are watching. May we be able to say with Paul, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1