BEING AN EXAMPLE

As a Christian we are constantly being challenged to be an example, to prove our faith. Every situation we are confronted with requires us to make certain decisions. Sometimes they are good decisions, but sometimes they are bad decisions. God sees those decisions, and we give an account of those decisions and answer for them. Unfortunately the people around us also see the decisions we make (our family, our friends, our co-workers ). They see the good and they also see the bad. Most of the time those that are lost remember the bad; and remind us of those bad decisions when we speak to them about accepting Jesus as their Savior.

How do we correct our behavior? How do we correct our past mistakes and sins in front of those around us? Jesus has forgiven us of our sins; He doesn't remember them any more; and He doesn't keep reminding us of our sins every time we make a wrong decision and sin. But the world and those around us don't forget; they don't always forgive; and they love to rub our faces in our mistakes.

How can we prove to those around us that we're different? How can we prove that we're a Christian? By being an example of what a Christian really is about.

Paul, in his epistle to his friend Timothy tells us how to be an example.

---- ( I Tim. 4:12 ) Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul was telling this young pastor to be an example; to live his life in a way that when people around him saw his behavior, they would see the difference in being a Christian. Lets take a look at each of these behaviors in depth and relate them to our lives and our lifestyle.

1) Word - The words we speak mean so much. They're easy to say and almost impossible to take back once we've said them The words we speak say so much about who we are and what we are. What does the Bible say about the words we speak? (Ephesians 4:29) - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

We need to guard against sharp, hurtful words. Our words should encourage, buildup, teach, and as much as possible, be optimistic and positive. Hurtful words only destroy and separate us form the people we are suppose to love. Nobody wants to be around someone who is always complaining and criticizing everything and everybody.

-(Psalm 29:1) - I said, " I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

-(Proverbs 15:1) - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

-(Proverbs 16: 24) - Pleasant words are a honeycomb; sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Christians should watch the words they use, the way they use them, and why we use them. Harsh words only cause harm and make a matter worse. How can we tell people about Jesus and curse them at the same time? Jesus also said that we would be judged for the words we use. (Matthew 12:36) - " But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. " It really does matter what kind of words we use.

2) Conduct ( Lifestyle) - The words we speak won't have an effect on anyone if our lifestyle isn't what it ought to be. ( I Peter 1:15 ) - But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: " Be holy, because I am holy." As a young Christian people would tell me, " Your walk ought to match your talk." There is nothing worse than to see a person claim to be a Christian, whose lifestyle looks like he is still in the world.

A Christian's lifestyle ought be different from the world's. ( I Peter 2:11 & 12 ) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. The world loves to make fun of a Christian when he makes a mistake or sins. They love to use phrases like; " Look at what you're doing, I thought you were a Christian ! " or " You call yourself a Christian ? You're no better off than I am." or " If that guy makes it to Heaven, I don't have anything to worry about." We don't have to be like the world to win the world. I became a Christian because I wanted something different in my life. I was tired of the sin, tired of the drugs, tired of the way I was living. I wanted something different. I wanted to change the way I was living, but I couldn't do it on my own. I watched the lives of some Christians I knew, I wanted what they had. If they had been living the same as I had been, I would never had listened to them. I would have said something like, " Why should I want to become a Christian, the way it looks to me, being a Christian is no different than what I already am. The world needs to see something different in our lives, something desirable, something they don't already have, something they need. Like being stranded out in a desert for days and finally seeing fresh cool water. The world needs to find Christ. Let them find Him in us.

3) LOVE - We need to be an example by our love for God and for other people.

- When Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment He replied: " You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. " We are to love God supremely above all things. More than our wives, husbands, families, possessions, even ourselves. God is to come before everything and everyone; nothing is come between our love for Him. But our love for Him can never be what it ought to be if our love for other people isn't what it ought to be. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is to " love your neighbor as yourself. " Also in I John 4:20 the Bible says, " If someone says, " I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? " You can't tell someone about the love of Jesus if you don't love the person you're talking to. Because, if you don't love that person you don't really care if he goes to Hell or not. And, if that person can't see the Love of Jesus coming through you, he'll never believe what you're telling him is the truth We need to be an example of what a Christian ought to be by our love for God and our love for other people. Jesus said in ( John 13: 35 ) - " By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. " When our love for each other is what it ought to be, people will also see our love of for Jesus and for them.

4) SPIRIT - Some Christians are so afraid of the Holy Spirit. They don't really understand what being spiritual or spirit minded is all about. But the Bible commands us to be " filled with the Spirit " ( Eph. 5:18 ). Christians need to realize that being filled with the Spirit is necessary for spiritual growth and strength. He gives you the ability to get through the tough times when everyone around you is falling apart. We need to be Spirit-minded or to have the mind of the Spirit. The thing we think about, the things we do, the places we go, should all be done with the Spirit of God in mind. Where ever we go what ever we do, we should always think to ourselves, " Would God be pleased if I go there or say that? " or " Should I be watching that? " or " Should I really be talking this way? ". We should be examples of the Spirit being in our lives; not the world.

How do we know if we're being Spirit - minded or Spirit - filled ? We know by the fruit we bare. (Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering ( patience ), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. When we are Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled,or Spiritual whatever term you choose to call it. When the things mentioned in these verses are evident in our lives, the Spirit of God is being seen through our lives. We are being an example of the Spirit in us.

5) FAITH - Let's first get the Biblical definition of the word faith. (Hebrews 11:1) says, Now faith is the substance (or assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence (or conviction) of things not seen.

I wasn't alive when Jesus was here, but I believe He lived a sinless life, I believe He died for my sins and I believe He rose again from the dead and is alive in Heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us every minute of every day. I didn't see any of this; and I can't prove it other than what the Bible tells me about it. But, by faith in what the Scriptures say to be true and what the Holy Spirit tells me in my heart; I believe it and I accept it to be the truth.

The Bible also tells me that through faith I have received eternal life. (Ephesians 2:8) says, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. We are saved by the wonderful grace of God through our faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

We are being an example of our faith when we're not afraid to talk about it, to share our faith with others. How many people are there in this world who claim to be Christians and have never told anyone? I've talked to people for hours and never knew they were Believers. They never mentioned it. How are people going to know about our faith if we don't talk about it? The Bible says that we are supposed to tell others what God has done for us. ( Psalm 107:2 ) Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.

6) PURITY - The word means to be clean, of undefiled. We are to be undefiled before a Holy and Just God. ( Psalm 24:3-5 ) says; Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. But, we can't do this on our own. We are all sinners before God and any righteous thing we do on our own is as filthy rags in his sight. So how do we become pure? Our righteousness comes from God through faith in Christ. As a result of our faith in Christ, we become new creatures, old things have passed away and all things become new. Our lives become clean and free of the filthiness of sin. We become an example of the purity of salvation by living our lives in obedience to Christ and His Word.

7) I Timothy 4:12 tells us to be an example to the believers. We are to be an example in the words we speak, the way we live, in our love for God and each other, in our Spiritual worship, in our faith, and by the purity of our heart.

We come into contact with people everyday. If we claim to be a Christian, they already know what is right and wrong, they know or at least think they know how a Christian is supposed to live, and they will make judgments of our lives according to their beliefs. Their salvation could depend on the way we live our lives before them.