the burden and blessing of example

During a worship service, as a member of the worship team, I get the privilege of being able to see a lot of what people in the sanctuary do during worship. The other night, as the pastor had called up some folks who needed special prayer, I watched one of our 4 year old little girls on the front row.  As people were being touched and moved by the presence of God at the altar, she was watching intently, raising her hands, praying in her own way. She was responding to the presence of God. She was taking in what she was seeing. She was learning from what she could see happening at that altar.  She was seeing examples of faith right before her and learning from them. I have also sat in Sunday school with the little ones and had another 4 year old little girl tell me about how mommy says bad words that only grownups can say and not little kids. She had a few more things to say. Her example at home is not consistent with what she is being told. She sees an example that does not glorify God in word.  What will she follow when she grows up.

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation(conduct-NIV), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12-14 The Message (MSG)
11-14 Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

As a Christian, we are called to be examples in several areas of our lives. We are called to live our faith before others so we can inspire them to also live a life pleasing to God.

Paul instructed Timothy to be an example in several areas:

-word    -the things we say, they are life and death, they betray or reveal our heart
               Psalm 19:14
                Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,   
                O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

-conversation/conduct- our conduct, actions reveal our walk with God
1 Samuel 2:3
             Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for
             the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

-charity –our love of others reflects the love God has for them
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

-spirit- walk in the Spirit, spirit of God, not our own spirit, (faith and spirit combined in some versions), this may also be your attitude and demeanor
Galatians 5:16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

-faith –faith is what we believe, and how we respond to what we believe
Philemon 1:6
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

-purity –this is the reflection of choosing what is right. Of allowing even our private thoughts and private life to reflect God’s holiness and purity-his cleansing that has been done and is being done in us.
Proverbs 20:11
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Each of these areas need to reflect Christ working in us. Or words and conduct need to reflect the love and Spirit of God. Our faith should be revealed by how we react in every moment. Purity should be upheld in and made clear even in the private moments no one else may see. Those private moments alone are often revealed as God knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. The thoughts in our hearts are what come out of of our mouths and become our actions. Our example must he consistent regardless of our location or who is or isn't around.

We are also called to be separate from the world. We are to live a life that is different and set apart for the display of God working in our lives. In 2 Corinthians chapter 6 Paul explains that we are a temple of the Living God. We are to be set apart for His Spirit to operate and dwell in us.

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We should be a different kind of person. We should stand out, We may not fit in. We should not fit in with the sin around us.

Why is our example so important? I recently read that young people are leaving churches because they are not seeing faith lived out in their homes.  They aren’t seeing their parents live what they say they believe. The faith talked about on Sunday morning  is not evident in the lives of the parents and others they see. What children see and hear in the home is more important than anything else when it comes to raising a child to have faith and relationship with Jesus.  If those telling them about Jesus, aren’t living a life that reflects Him, they are losing that child. Many leave the church or see no need because there is no difference between a Christian or a sinner.The ‘Do as I say not as I do” – attitude has become accepted. We cannot tell a child or any one else to live a certain way and not be an example. We need to show them what faith in God can do.

Complacency in our daily walk has become the norm and we accept a lot to things we should not. We do a lot of things we should not and forget to do things we should be doing for the Kingdom of God.

The definition of complacency means a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction, often combined with a lack of awareness of pending trouble or controversy.

Effects of complacency are little things creeping in and  no longer alert or alarm us. We allow sinful habits and slowly we move away from God rather than toward Him. Amos warned Israel of this.

Amos 6:1.4-7 NIV
Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,
    and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria,
you notable men of the foremost nation,
    to whom the people of Israel come!
 You lie on beds adorned with ivory
    and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs
    and fattened calves.
5 You strum away on your harps like David
    and improvise on musical instruments.
6 You drink wine by the bowlful
    and use the finest lotions,
    but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

Spiritually Complacent has been shown in research. Barna Research reports that since ’91, Americans have become more spiritually complacent. 40% of born again Christians do not attend church or read the Bible in a typical week, 30% are not "absolutely committed to the Christian faith" and 70% are not involved in a small group that meets for spiritual purposes. The percent-age of adults who can be classified as "born again" rose from 35% in ‘91 to 41% in ‘01. However, participation in 4 key behaviors declined; Bible reading (down from 45% to 37%); church attendance (from 49% to 42%); volunteering at church (from 27% to 20%); and adult Sunday school attendance (from 23% to 19%). (Barna Online 3/5/01)

The Church, the people of God, need to realize that it is time to rise up and fulfill the walk that God has called us to: to be an example, a light set on a hill, a holy priesthood. Not only when we go to the church building, but in our daily routines, activities, interactions, work places and especially in our homes.

The Psalmist said Let the word of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable.
Psalm 19: 7-14
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

I want to be an example that will attract people to Christ, not turn them off or run them off. I want my life to stand as a walking testimony of God's love and faithfulness. I want people to see what God can do by how I live in faith, love and deed.

Matthew 5:13-18
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our example is seen by those around us. What are they going to see in us that will attract them to Christ?  I hope they see a working of faith that does not fall in the face of adversity. I hope they see a growing example of patience and love that gives Grace and mercy when it is not earned.  I hope they feel love and hope when I am around. I hope the feel the drawing of the presence of God that calls us to  a place of repentance and earnest living for God. I do not want to be an example of complacency and sin that is hidden behind closed doors. One of the greatest testimonies of a pastor that passed  is when his daughter spoke of him and said that the man you saw in church was the same man they saw at home every day. I want my children to say that of me.  I don’t want to appear one way at church and then be completely different in my home. I want my children to see me live what I say and profess about God. I want my daily life to reflect the promises of God. I want to be example that draws men to God not drive them away.

Hebrews 4:11
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

I pray we can live as examples to this world that will show the love of Christ. I pray we take seriously that our example is our testimony of who God is to those around us. Our choices, words, and actions reflect Christ Jesus and what He can do. If we choose not to reflect him in our private actions and in our daily loves, we are failing to give others a true picture God in action. We are to reflect Christ in a way that will make others want Him, not push them away. What we say and do has great influence on those around us.  They need to see God working in us to really understand what He can do for them. We are called to  be an example. This may seem like a weighty burden. We become responsible for our actions and words. We are to bear responsibility. But, this is also a blessing.  We can be blessed as our example grows and we see souls attracted to Christ through our influence. We can be blessed as we can mentor and help guide others to live for Christ. We can continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge of who God is as we lead others. We can be a positive influence as long as we guard our testimony and example as precious and important. May we balance the burden with the blessing of example. May we lead them into the deep of serving God wholeheartedly with no reservations.