11th January 2010 - Following Our Example

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers. —1 Timothy 4:12

Alyssa, who is 6 and just learning to read, often saw her parents and grandparents reading their Bibles in the morning. Early one day, she woke up before everyone else. Grandma found her sitting on the couch, with her Bible and a devotional booklet on her lap. She wanted to follow the example of spending time with God at the beginning of the day.

Timothy, a young pastor, faced heavy responsibilities in the church at Ephesus—training believers, leading in worship, countering false doctrine. The older, experienced apostle Paul gave him instruction on leading the church in these areas, but he also mentioned the importance of personal conduct. He said, “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

Paul challenged Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine” (v.16). If he paid attention to his own spiritual life and to solid doctrine, he would be a godly example to the church family.

We all have others who are observing us. Even little Alyssa has younger siblings watching her. Let’s live our lives in such a way that those who follow our example will help others in their walk with God. —Anne Cetas

Lord, help me live a godly life
Of faith and love and purity
So those who follow what I do
Will grow in their maturity. —Sper

A good example has more value than good advice.

1 Timothy 4:12-16 (New International Version)

¹²Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

¹⁵Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Reflections:

I'm doing a rather straightforward passage today (need to do my dissection prep work after this). I read some commentaries about these verses:

"Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others.

The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life."

The verses state that we as Christians, should set examples by living out what is right. Examples have to be set in speech (by paying attention to the words we use in daily conversations, so that we don't hurt someone intentionally) , in life (not only by saying how we all should live, but aim to live in these ways ourselves), in love (love everyone around us, even people whom we don't seem to like, whose behaviours annoy us, people whom we find it hard to forgive and our enemies), in faith (putting our trust in God no matter what phase of life are we in, knowing that He will not abandon or forsake us even when circumstances seem to be difficult to us) and in purity (doing what is right/treating people well while not expecting something in return?)

Despite our real age or our spiritual age/maturity (don't really know how to put it into words..), we all can do our best to live such a life which is favoured by God. We might not be able to change completely in a day or two, but we can grow bit by bit each day. In the meantime, we should also read the Scriptures and stick to the teachings, while allowing God to use us in doing His work through our spiritual gifting.

We need to be careful while living our life, because people are watching, especially people who have yet come to know God or people who are drifting away from Him. By holding on to Him, we can influence people around us and be a positive edification. (Like what Pastor Johnny/Pastor Pong always quote from Pastor Allan Warton, "We can change the world.") =P I've seen examples which these happened, all glory to God!

yee kuan