SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE (part one)
As we are getting the word out, as we are giving people the message of reconciliation, we are to be living the ministry of reconciliation. That means we are to be setting a good example for others to see. We need to set a good example for the lost to see and be drawn to and for the church to see and want to follow suit.
One definition of example is a model or a pattern. To be an example means we are modeling something or setting a pattern to follow. Another definition is illustration. As in, 'let me give you an example of what I mean'. So, we could say that we are to be a good example at setting a good example. When you hear words like epitome that's what is being talked about. Derrick is the epitome of holiness. Ok, maybe not the best example.
In life there are good examples and there are bad examples. Let's see what the bible has to say about all that so we can set a good example.
1) Jesus was a good example.
We could spend a long time talking about all the ways Jesus was an example. However, I'll focus on the verses that specifically use the word example.
In humility and service.
John 13:12-17, "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Jesus didn't just wash their feet because he had nothing better to do. It was all for a purpose. Everything Jesus said and did was purposeful. In this case, we have Jesus setting an example of humility and service.
Service and humility do not always go hand-in-hand. I can serve out of pride. My motive can be looking to get recognized. However, I do think humility and service go hand-in-hand in regards to being humble. If you are humble you will be a servant. If you're not serving in any way there's a humility issue. There may be other problems going on like selfishness and ingratitude but these stem from pride so they can be resolved through humility.
Through humility I recognize the needs of others. Through humility I recognize how blessed I am and how grateful I need to be. Therefore, through humility there will be an attitude of serving. That's what Jesus is trying to get across to them. Everyone walked into that upper room knowing the wash basin was there but there was no servant waiting by the door to wash feet. And obviously no one was willing to be the one to take care of that lowly task.
Jesus waited until the meal was being served before he washed their feet. I think this was so none of them could try to say that they were going to do it. By that time it would've been clear that no one had the intention to wash feet. So he tells them that he is their Teacher and Lord. He is their leader yet he became their servant. Every one of them should've readily washed Jesus' feet yet none of them did.
'Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet'. He made it clear to them that he wasn't just doing them a favor; he was setting an example for them to follow. You have seen my example of humility and service-go and be like me. We need to have Jesus' attitude of humility and service. Do we think certain tasks are beneath us? Do we feel certain people are beneath us? Everyone was beneath Jesus yet he was the one serving others.
Washing feet was usually given to the lowliest servant yet Jesus didn't hesitate to perform it. And he even washed Judas' feet; the one whom he knew was going to betray him. That is humility and service-to wash the dirty, stinky feet of your enemy. Yet this is what Jesus did. Unfortunately, it didn't make an impact on Judas. Let that not be the case for us. We need to be examples of humility and service.
In suffering with dignity.
1st Pet. 2:19-24, "For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."
To this we were called, Peter said. We were called to be willing to endure persecution. We have been called to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Peter wants us to know that suffering is a part of what we've signed up for.
Peter makes a differentiation between suffering from doing wrong and suffering from doing right. Sometimes we call it persecution when it's really consequences from our poor choices. Having to go to jail because you robbed a store is not persecution-it's consequences. You're not a martyr; you're a criminal.
It's when we receive unjust punishment for honoring God that we are being persecuted. Daniel getting thrown into the lion's den because he prayed to God was persecution; he suffered for doing good. Standing up for our spiritual convictions and suffering for it is persecution. Whether it's losing our job because we won't work on Sunday morning or when someone makes fun of you for being a Christian-persecution comes in many shapes and forms.
How are we to respond to it? With dignity and trust. We are called to follow the example of Jesus-unwavering in his devotion, unwilling to return insults or make threats. He was at peace. He deemed it unnecessary to make threats or retaliate in any way to people's mistreatment of him. He entrusted himself to the Father; he put his situation in his lap. He chose to allow God to handle any return fire.
Peter wants us to remember Jesus' example and what he did for us. Since Jesus died for our sin he wants us to die to our sin. We need to do what Paul said in Romans 12:12, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer." When we are suffering for doing the right thing, these three things will be key in being able to get through it.
Paul said some other helpful things after that. In vs. 14 he said, 'bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse'. In vs. 17 he told us to not repay anyone evil for evil. In vs. 19 he told us to not take revenge but leave room for God's wrath. And he said in vs. 21 to not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. These are the tools that will help us to deal with unjust suffering with dignity. This is what Jesus did as our example.
2) How can we be a good example?
1st Tim. 4:12, "Don’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."
Paul tells Timothy to not allow his age to be a reason for people to look down on him. Rather, counter that and close their mouths by setting a good example for them. Not that we set a good example for that reason but the best way to silence people is to allow them to see a good example.
The people who were ridiculing Timothy may have thought that he wasn't going to be mature and wise. Perhaps they were thinking he wasn't going to be a good leader because he was too young; still wet behind the ears. But Paul encouraged Timothy to pay that no mind and instead just focus on living a God-centered life and when they see your good example they will be convinced. That's what Paul told Titus.
Titus 2:7-8, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Basically, Paul was saying to Timothy and Titus, 'let people say what they want, you just focus on being an example of godliness'. Between Timothy and Titus we see some things that will help us to set a good example. Speech was mentioned in both examples.
Our speech is so important. James said our tongue is the hardest thing to control. With it we praise God and we slander men. It's so easy to speak negativity towards others. It's easy to cut someone down, to swear, to make off-color jokes, to gossip, to lie, etc. Eph. 4:29 says to not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. Our good example can be severely damaged by our perverse speech. We need to guard our mouths. We need to fill our hearts with holiness so that what comes out of our mouths will be holy too since out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Then Paul mentions being an example in life. This means our conduct. How we conduct the affairs of life. Be an example of integrity and honesty. Conduct your business fairly and live your life sacrificially. Be helpful to others and kind and considerate. Live peaceably with one another. Paul said in Phil. 1:27, 'whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ'.
Then Paul mentions love. Be an example of love. The world has an improper view of what love is. It's been watered-down and the word is used so flippantly. The true essence of the word has lost its meaning; its depth. The bible says God is love so if we want to know what love looks like we look at him. Love is unconditional, love is sacrificial, love is generous, love is disciplinary also.
True love is what we find in 1st Cor. 13-patient, kind, protecting, trusting, hopeful, persevering. It's not rude, envious or boastful, it's not self-seeking or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love has no delight in evil but only rejoices with the truth. Love never fails and love is the greatest thing. This is how we are to be toward God because this is how he is toward us. And this is how we are to be toward others because God is this way toward them. And if we are to be a good example of God then we will love as God loves. He has given us the power and ability to be an example of love.
Paul told Timothy to be an example of faith. We need to let our faith be evident to others. We need to communicate our faith and show we are faithful. This means we don't compromise on our convictions; we don't waver in our devotion. This means when difficult situations come we stand firm and press on. This means we trust that God's will is always best. This means we don't lean on our own understanding but we seek God's wisdom.
If we are an example of faith then we are a rock that sets itself up against every falsehood. To be a good example of faith means we do not go by our feelings or make decisions based on our emotions but rather on the word and Spirit of God. Faith means we don't move unless God says to move. It's not always easy to stand firm in the faith and allow God to dictate our choices and actions. But we can be that good example of faith.
And the last thing Paul told Timothy to be an example of was purity. Live your life avoiding sexual immorality. Live your life without any element of perversity. Do not allow yourself to be deviant in any way. Let not your thinking be twisted. Let not your thoughts become sadistic. Sometimes we have some not so good thoughts towards others; thoughts where we want to hurt people or we want to see something bad happen to them. That's impurity.
People can't see our thoughts but if we don't get a handle on our impure thoughts they become impure actions and behaviors. So we need to be an example of purity to others. Be pure in the music you listen to and the movies you watch. Be pure in your online activity. Be pure in your conduct at work and don't be making innuendos or subtle mischievous comments.
And then Paul told Titus to be an example of integrity. To have integrity is to be honorable, truthful, reliable and honest. These are the behaviors of a person with integrity. We tell the truth when it would be much easier to tell a lie. We follow through on what we told someone we would do even if we don't feel like it. We give someone an honest answer even though they might not like it. That doesn't mean we need to be shallow and uncaring but simply honest.
We're honest with our intentions instead of trying to 'sell it'. Being a person of integrity means we're not double-minded and we don't live by a double standard. It means we are the same way alone as we are in front of others. It means we are the same way Saturday as we are on Sunday. These are the ways we can be an example of integrity.
And Finally, Paul mentions being an example of seriousness. Don't be half-hearted; don't be wishy-washy. We are to be serious about our lives; serious about our walk. And if we're serious then it will show. It will show in our devotion. It will show in our passion. Our seriousness shows when we have opportunities to compromise but we don't.
Our seriousness will be clear when we develop a pattern of behavior consistent with someone who is serious. Not that it's never appropriate to loosen up and have fun but there's a time to have fun and there's a time to be serious. So we are serious about serious matters. We don't downplay the seriousness of things; we don't make light of them. When someone is hurting we don't dismiss it or minimize it. When someone is dealing with a crisis we don't brush it off or joke about it. We take it seriously because it's important to them and their well being should be important to us.
We are living in a serious world with serious situations calling for serious attention. The work of God is serious and we need to be serious about it. We need to be serious about the saving of souls. We need to be serious about the discipleship of the saints. We need to be serious about the fellowship, about our studies and about our growth.
If we think these things are no big deal then we'll pay a serious price for our neglect. We set an example of seriousness for others so they can be challenged to reconsider their lackadaisical approach and see the importance of things. These are some of the ways we can set a good example.
Through the scriptures we have instructions on how to set a good example. And we have the best example ever in Jesus. We need to imitate him. We need to be like God. On Sept. 6, 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. broke the baseball record that many believed would never be broken: Lou Gehrig's iron-man feat of playing in 2, 131 consecutive games. Ripken gives much of the credit for his accomplishments to the example and teaching of his father, Cal Ripken Sr., who played minor league ball and coached and managed for the Orioles.
During the 1996 season, Ripken Sr. was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame. After he gave his acceptance speech, Cal Jr. came to the mic.; an emotional moment recalled in his book, The Only Way I Know: It was difficult. I wasn't certain I could say what I wanted about my father and what he means to me. So I told a little story about my two children, Rachel and Ryan, who were six and three at the time.
They had been bickering for weeks and I explained how one day I heard Rachel taunt Ryan, "You're just trying to be like Daddy." After a few moments of indecision, I asked Rachel, "And what's so wrong with trying to be like Daddy?" When I finished the story, I looked at my father and added, "That's what I've always tried to do."
What could be better than to try to be like our heavenly Father? Imitating God needs to become the only way we know. We need to set a good example of godliness to others.
