“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. “ (I Corinthians 11:1 NIV)
There are good examples and bad examples that impact human beings, from birth to all stages of adulthood. Yes, even during the formidable years of age 0 to 5 years old. While there may be factors that influence how susceptible people are to the good examples, we must still model them; set the good examples.
Making it plain, know that the examples provided by Christians should fall in the category of “good examples.” Learning good examples to emulate are not hard to find. Going by the verse above, “good examples” are rooted in the life of Jesus Christ, including His teachings, his instructions that of course are perfectly in line with the will of God, and his hour-to-hour behavior during His earthly ministry. Follow Paul’s words, written by the inspiration of God. His example is Christ. He followed Christ’s example. He did not just study it as some social scientist or some academic intellect who is engaged in investigating the influence of examples on behavior. No! Paul followed Christ’s example. Paul understood the purpose of a good examples. In his case, the purpose of the premier example; the perfect example of the One who took on flesh and dwelt among us, served as the epitome of a good example. Paul also understood that it was important that he applied Christ’s good examples to the best of his ability so he could therefore tell others to follow his own example and back it up with godly living. Others were not just to look at Paul’s example, but they were to implicitly follow it, imitate it, or insist on replicating it in their personal lives. The purpose of a good example was not just to put behavior on display, but it was to provide direction for those who wanted to find great favor with God.
Setting a good example does not guarantee a good result or a glorious reproduction of the same type of godly behavior, in general actions or specific applications. Free will still exists and people, particularly our young people today, but not limited to our young people; they still have the option of choosing between following good examples modeled by Christians, or the bad examples that are modeled and wrongly suggested as the “right choice” by the secular world. They still can be seduced by Satan’s attempt to sell bad examples. They can still choose to submit to self (our fleshly desires). That makes it even more imperative, more important that our good examples are those that mirror how Paul’s were developed, by following Christ. When we do what we should do, we can personally say, “I follow the example of Christ.” Those you are developing, or discipling, knowingly and unknowingly, will consequently be impacted by your Christ-like example. So make sure your examples are good examples. And, if you have not already done it before as needed, explain how your commitment to following the examples of Christ in your past or even in some recent incident where you had a failing; explain how you did not live by the examples of Christ. Be transparent! Explain with remorse, how your behavior was without question, occasionally, wavering, and without righteous persuasion. Point to how your mess ups led you to making up with God, repenting and depending on His mercy, and elaborate on how you made up your mind to renew your good examples going forward. That explanation, by the way, is a good example.
The necessity of good examples cannot be negated. The purpose of good examples cannot be ignored. The responsibility to be like Paul and explain to our children, our peers, and even fellow believers the reasons behind our saintly, saintly, not perfect, behavior is upon us at times. We are not perfect, just trying to make perfect progress. So that is not an excuse! I say, “Try harder!” Your positive impact and influence will be better when you buy-in to the purpose of good examples; examples that stays consistent in the good times and the bad times, through the sunshine and the rain, and through our problems, predicaments, and pain.
Look! If you need to give a personal story about good examples, today you will have to reach into your bag of past memories and pull a few out. Examples? Yes! Tell somebody how you learned to be respectful of others by following good examples. Tell them about the time that one of the elders in your life exemplified that obedience to authority was a good example. Be open and confess how you suffered consequences when you did not follow the good examples before you.
It’s Tuesday and I have kept you, perhaps too long. But on both sides of the behavioral equation, whether you are the follower or the one someone is following, live out good examples. After all, believers are the salt of the earth! So go forth and perfect, purify, protect, and preserve the lives of others you have contact with today. Love you! Be blessed!
“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” (Matthew 5:13 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King