As a believer in the Lord Jesus, I am so thankful for others who have walked in the Christian life before me and have been an example to me in how to live Christ.
The Apostle Paul writes to the believers in the City of Rome who had been ’lost’ but now were ‘saved’, he noticed that their lives were changing, as a result of them now listening to, reading, and responding to the Word of God. Paul gratefully says, ‘thank God, that although you used to be ‘slaves of sin’, you obeyed from the heart that example/pattern of teaching to which you have been committed, and are now set free from sin, becoming ‘slaves to righteousness’. Romans 6:17, 18. Paul’s point is that the Bible contains the teaching that is God’s example/standard on how Christians should now live. Remember that song that says ‘read your bible & pray every day & you will grow, grow, grow’, applies to us as well.
In the same way Paul encouraged the believers in City of Philippi to join in following his example, saying, ‘brothers, join in following my example, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example, as you have us for a pattern/example’. Php 3:1. These believers were privileged to have Paul and others who were with him as an example/pattern on how to live in a way that is consistent with being a Christian. While Paul and his friends are no longer here, let’s remember that we now have the privilege of living godly lives in such a relevant way, that we can be the good examples to others. Let’s encourage ourselves in this practice.
The believers in the City of Thessalonica had lives that had changed as well, to such an extent they became examples to (believers in other cities) all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 1 Thessalonians 1:7. So it is one thing to be changed because we are privileged to see and follow another believer’s example, but another to become an example ourselves in our world who desperately need to see a Christlike example. In Paul’s 2nd letter to the believers in the City of Thessalonica who were drifting off course, he tells them that while the older believers had authority to enforce them to live this in way, they would not do that, rather they would ‘make themselves an example of how you should follow us’. 2 Thessalonians 3:9. Are we forcing others to live up to the Christlike standard, or living it out in a way, that our example whets their appetite to live that way themselves? Be encouraged to be an example!
Paul then writes a young man named Timothy, and he gives specific instructions on the areas of life where a young person can be an example as well. ‘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’. 1 Timothy 4:12
Lastly, Peter will confirm Paul’s encouraging instructions, when he exhorts those in church leadership to ‘not [be] domineering over those in their charge but be an example to the flock’. 1 Peter 5:4, like the Lord Jesus who is our perfect example, and that ‘we should follow in His steps’. 2 Peter 2:21
· The Bible is the resource we have that shows us on how to be examples of a changed life.
· Paul was a great example not only to those he wrote to but now to us who now read the Bible.
· The believers he had written to were now becoming examples to others.
· Leadership in a local church can enforce others to live as examples, but it is so much better when their lives are such good examples that others start living in the same way.
· Young believers should be given encouragement and the resources they need to be examples themselves.
· Peter confirms Paul’s instructions on how church leadership should demonsrate what being a good example looks like, and that the Lord Jesus is always our perfect example.
Author – Sid Osborn