APR 20

Philippians 3:17
Memorise 1 Timothy 4:12
“but be thou an example of the believers”

As we endeavour to be an example to the unbelievers around us, we must also not forget the spiritual family of believers that we are now a part of. The Apostle Paul was always very conscious and careful about being a good example to the believers that he was ministering to. In Philippians 3, he shared with them the testimony of his salvation, especially with regards to the new mindset that he now had as a believer. He writes not to show off, or to claim that he is now perfect, but instead he shares with them his continual desire to become more and more Christ-like, ever pressing on in his desire to know Christ. As he shares all these things with them, he then calls upon them to follow his example, insofar as he was a follower of Christ. He also exhorts them to look for others who have his same godly focus in life, and to follow their example as well.

As believers, we all need examples to emulate. Though we are to follow Christ, it is often difficult to know how He would respond to many situations in our daily lives. We may not have the mature godly perspective to know exactly how to react and respond to the myriad of challenges that we face in our day-to-day lives. Therefore we learn from the more spiritually mature Christians around us, and pattern our lives after them.

I am sure that in your Christian walk, you have learnt through the godly testimonies of many around you. It could be your Christian parents, the church leaders, your Sunday school teachers, some of the older youths, or even your peers in church. You have been positively influenced by the way that they love and serve the Lord. Have you ever then wondered, how you too could be that positive influence to those around you? Granted, as young people, you may think that people do not take you seriously. You may fear that people look down upon your youth. That may very well have been the fear that young Timothy had as he took up the role as the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul’s advice, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was this: 1Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”. Like Timothy, we too can strive to be an example in all these aspects of our lives, so that we too can be that positive influence to those around us!

Thought: Do I draw others towards Christ or away from Christ?
Prayer: Lord, help me to be an example to all around me.