Lead By Good Example

April 29, 2021

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.

~I Timothy 4:12~

I'm sure all of us have been told by our parents, our teachers or co workers to "be a good example to others." We may have thought to ourselves, "well, I believe I am a good example." What we really should be doing is asking, asking those around us in any case we are to represent someone; "am I truely leading by good example?" Let us ask ourselves as christians; "is how I carry myself leading by good example for Jesus Christ?" Many times we may think we are doing what is right, speaking what is okay or acting upon what is necessary. We tend to fool ourselves quite a bit into thinking we are already good. The truth is the only one who is actually good is God; "So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." (Mark 10:18)

Our own King of Kings led by good example of God the Father in how He conducted Himself; leading others to freedom, teaching them right from wrong and loving on everyone He came across. We are to follow Christ's example as Christians. That is what Christian means after all, "little Christ." Let us search ourselves with these questions and then ponder if our answers line up with the way Jesus is.

Is what we are saying to others coming off as condescending or judgemental?

"And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." (John 12:47)

Are we refusing to let go of unforgiveness or bitterness in our hearts because we may think we are the ones who are the victim?

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

Are we bearing good fruits or bad fruits?

"A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:18)

Are we lashing out in anger and disagreements to those around us?

"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife."

(II Timothy 2:23)

Are we offering ourselves as a sacrifice to be used whole heartedly by our Father's will?

"The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever." (Psalms 81:15)

We can think we are leading by good example all we want. We can assume that because we say we believe we are showing that to others around us, yet others may look at how we carry ourselves and they will not see Jesus Christ in us. To put on the whole love of God and be aligned to His will means to submit all things to Him. Our attitudes, our actions and our mindset. All of which should posture Jesus to others. It is rather hypocritical to say we follow Jesus and treat others the opposite of how we want to be treated. "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."

(Luke 6:31)

Is Jesus looking at us and liking what He sees? There are many folks out there who need our example to be good so that they may be willing to receive the Lord in their lives. There are many who just need to vent their feelings and they need good listeners. There are many who are bound in chains and they need someone brave enough to lay hands and pray. There are many who need the love of Jesus to combat being rejected. When we come to follow Him, we are the vessels of the Lord to do these very things. If we cannot do them in love of if we are doing them as hypocrites, we will not be able to bear much good fruit, will we? We are instructed to love on the lost, feed the poor, treat our families with loving kindness and those around us, pray without ceasing and sacrifice our own time to give to others. This is leading by an example of love, spirit, faith and purity. We are warned what not to do many times in the bible and our flesh is truely weak. "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

When we try to gain control on our own and we refuse to learn as students of the great Teacher each and everyday, we are becoming stubborn children of God. We will begin to fall into our flesh and our spirits will suffocate within us. Let us carry ourselves in such a way that others will say, "I see Jesus in you," as they smile. Let us love as He loves, act as He acts and speak as He speaks. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

(I Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7)

If we struggle truely putting on love, as it is defined here in God's own word; we need to spend more time getting to know God, who is love. Our spirit, body and mind should be aligned to Him so that we may represent the Lord wherever we go. Let us truely walk in love and in spirit, let us be a good example as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for the realization that I am not good on my own, I need You to be a shining light into my life. Apart from You I am extremely weak and I pray to increase more in the likeness of Jesus. Help me to be a good example to those around me who need to see, hear and witness the glory of Jesus Christ. If there is any wicked way in me please strip this from me. Search me O Lord, test me. I want to be in complete submission to You just as Your Son was to fulfill Your will. Use me in anyway You see fit. Show me the ways in which I am not leading by good example. I pray to put on the mind of Christ and walk in complete unwavering love. I praise You for the patience You have with me and I receive all teachings You have for me as a student, in the Name of Jesus my Savior I pray. Amen.