The Power Of Example

Keith McNeely
Imagine going through life without ever having any one to look to for help and advice. Life would be hard without examples on various topics. Some of societies more common phrases are “here let me help you” or as we try to find a location “just follow me, I am going right by there”. Example is a powerful tool, helping us to learn how to accomplish all kinds of topics, even the Christian life is easier to accomplish when we see it done. The Bible is not silent on this idea, Paul said in part “Brethren, be followers together of me” (Philippians 3:17).

God as our example. Moses was to tell the congregation of Israel “Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2; see also Matthew 5:48). It makes perfect since, God is our Father, we as His children should indeed be inclined to be like Him. Paul stated that kindness and forgiveness had been exampled to us by our Father “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32). A quick review-God has been a example to us in so many ways, but we have here noted these few, that of holiness, kindness and forgiveness. Thus God the Father continues to be our example.

Christ as our example. The effects of being with someone can be seen, recognized and known. For example the authorities that called Peter and John into their presence were able to recognize the effect Christ had upon them (Acts 4:13), they knew that “they had been with Jesus.” Christ serves as an example in righteous living, He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) His delight was in doing the Fathers will, pursuing it with all diligence (Psalm 40:8; John 8:29). Thus Christ continues to be our example.

Christians are to be good examples. We are urged, told, even directed to follow other Christians as they follow Christ. Paul said “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul writing to youthful Timothy advised him “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). Finally, the Bible tells us that a spouse of a Christian woman that will not respond to verbal teaching at times will respond to the example of a faithful wife “if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;” (1 Peter 3:1).

Thus we can easily conclude that a Christian has the opportunity, and responsibility to be a example to those around them. Further we have great examples set before us on a regular basis. Those that set examples before us include God, Christ and our fellow Christians. Examples are indeed powerful, first follow them, learn them, and then responsibly share them.