A Living Example

 

Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us--Philippians 3:17

 

Hear the instructions given to us in 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Test yourselves  to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!"  Because we are weak, frail human beings we must ever be alert in our walk as a child of God lest our faith in Jesus and the precious promises of God be undermined by Satan as he seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Peter 1:4-11).

 

The test of our faith is not found in sitting down in our easy chair in the comfort of our home and just reading chapter after chapter from the Bible. The test is not just in whether or not we attend one or more worship services of the church each week. The true test of our faith occurs each day as we go about our daily activities. In our speech, our conduct, does our family, our friends, our neighbors, our coworkers, even the stranger we pass on the street see in us that we are faithful in the commitment we made to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30)?

 

Do they see that we are letting our light shine before men leading them to glorify God (Matthew 5:16)? Do all those people with whom we interact see in our conduct that the word of Christ dwells in us richly (Colossians 3:16)? As others observe our conduct, listen to our speech, do they see an example of the believer in word, life, love, spirit, faith and purity (1 Timothy 4:12)?  Does the world of people surrounding us see that we have set our affections on things above  and are seeking those things (Col. 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:33)?  Will self examination show that we have and are now presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1; Galatians 2:20)?

 

Now, I have a question for all of us to think seriously about. Based on the way we have been and are now living, will we dare say to our families, friends or anyone for that matter, "I want you to follow my example"?  If you did and they did, what would their eternal destiny be? Thought provoking, isn't it?

 

We do not, yea cannot, live this life without having influence on other people. A faithful. consistent Christian life will be noticed, known and it will enable us to say to others: "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1).

 

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.--1 Timothy 1:17

 

Charles Hicks