Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12
What the world needs now is a good example. We find few in our world who live the life they proclaim with their words. We become accustom to men and women in the political world speaking with forked tongue. We see businesses caught up in one scandal after another. The press likes to find leaders in the Christian movement caught in a sin. They can gloat over the sins of Christians but can’t see their own.
It is no easy task to live a daily life of humility, faith, purity and love. There are many examples around us that seem to beckon us to a life of compromise. Giving in to the desi9res of the flesh is not looked on as a weakness unless you get caught. Getting caught is the greatest of sins.
Not so for us who try to live a life of dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ. We want to please him in every way. Our lives are to bring honor to him and not dishonor to his love.
I like what Francis of Assisi said about preaching. “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.” Examples either make or break the presentation of the good news of Jesus.
Others have made similar statements about the effectiveness of good examples. “I’d rather see a sermon that hear one any day.” “An ounce of examples is worth a pound of words.” “Empty words may be flattering but examples are more likely to last”
It is healthy for us to look into our own hearts to see what is there. What is there will always make its way to the surface. The mouth usually will speak what is in the heart. We can work on being more kind and gentle as we live our lives before others. Let your light shine with a good example this week.