Though exampleship is not a ship, it is in the same ship as discipleship. “Be thou an example of the believer”; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.”; “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Exampleship is not exampleship until it is exampleship! We are to set before others in real living that which the Bible teaches our living is to be. Apart from this, our living may very well be an open contradiction to God’s Word, which God will judge.
Though never perfect in the flesh, we need to be blameless in our efforts and faithful in our endeavors. This is the manifestation of our love for God, in choosing to keep His commandments. For others to see us as an example, they must see our observing all things God’s Word commands, with great expectation. On the other hand, if others think of us as an example when we are not, they can pick up on our unfaithful ways, thus making ourselves guilty of betraying their trust and misleading them.
While it is true some things are not specifically spelled out in detail in the scripture, which calls for prayerfully making decisions on scriptural comparison and principle, other things are unmistakably clear on what God’s will is for us. To be an example, we must not only prove what God’s will is, but we must also consecrate ourselves to the actual doing of it. To know of the will of God without seeking to obey it, becomes the sin of omission, which if let go, will sear our conscience, while quenching the work of the Holy Spirit.
“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” We must not be permissive of neglect and unfaithfulness, lest we lose the grand vision of the glory and honor of Christianity.
Being an example eliminates regrets, qualifies for God’s blessings, lays up treasure in heaven, reaps a good harvest, brings joy and fulfillment, and makes right living important in the minds of others, while the lack thereof will vex our own soul.
“Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
SHARING
