We are living in a generation of believers where everyone wants to become a teacher giving guidance to those who are ignorant but unfortunately much of the teaching accomplishes nothing simply because those who teach are not living examples of what they teach. There is a saying that states that ‘’your actions are speaking so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying’’. The bible in Rom 2:18-24, talks about those who read the bible and discover Gods will but unfortunately they go on to teach others without first of all practicing what they themselves have learnt. ‘’YOU WHO TEACH OTHERS, DO YOU NOT TEACH YOURSELF… THE GENTILES BLASPHEME THE NAME OF GOD BECAUSE OF YOU’’. Before we teach others, we ought to be living examples of what we teach, we should only teach what we have already practiced.
One reason why the apostles had so much authority with God is that they themselves were examples of what they taught. Phil 3:17 says…join in following my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. 1Cor 4:6, 11:1 states, be imitators of me as I imitate Christ. 2Thes 3:7-You ought to follow our example… 2Thes 3:9 …we gave you an example to follow. Paul could boldly tell the Philippian church, PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE…SEEN ME DO. Phil 4:9
We know that Jesus is the light of the world and we are also the light of the world. Mat 5:16. John 9:5.
Jn 1:4 says, HIS LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN. In the same it is the way that we live that is the light of the world and we are warned, TAKE HEED THAT THE LIGHT IN YOU DOES NOT BECOME DARKNESS. Lk 11:35.
Having seen the necessity for us to be living examples, there are some areas where the bibles insists that we should be examples. Some of the areas mentioned below are stated in the following verses; 1Tim 4;12 and Titus 2:7-8
SPEECH- if we cannot control our tongues, our Christianity is worthless. Jam 1:26. Our speech should be used to encourage and build others up not destroy reputation of others. Eph 4:29
CONDUCT- we should live in a way that cannot be condemned or criticized. Eph 1:4, 2Pet 3:14
LOVE- we are to love even our enemies and bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us and pray for those take advantage of us and those who persecute us that we may be children of God. Mat 5:44-45
FAITH- we should be strong in faith glorifying God by believing that He is able to fulfill what He has promised and that He is faithful to do it. Rom 4:20-21, Heb 10:23
PURITY- in the way we relate especially to the opposite sex, we need to be examples in purity. There should not be even a hint of sexual immorality. 1Tim 5:2, Eph 5:3(NIV)
GOOD DEEDS- we need to be full of good deeds, 1Pet 2:12, Tit 3:8
PURITY IN DOCRINE-the truth to be taught is that which leads to godliness not facts which may be true. For example, 1+1+1=3 is true but such does not lead anyone to godliness. Tit 1:1
SERIOUSNESS- everyone should see that we mean what we say. There is a comedian who said that the difference between them and preachers is that the comedians act what is fiction as if it was true and that many preachers teach what is true as if it was fiction.
SINCERITY- everyone should be able to say-‘’this person is genuine’’
TRUTH THAT CANNOT BE CRITICIZED because we are examples of what we teach by our lives.
Let us be examples to our generation of what true Christianity entails and God will make us a blessing to many more people
You are blessed to be a blessing
Feel free to share
@blessedmambo
No comments:
Post a Comment