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Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
– 1 Timothy 4:12
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One thing the world needs to
see is good examples. They need to see believers walk in love and purity
and faith in their homes, in their schools and in their businesses.
The
Apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:17 to live above reproach in the
sight of all men. Other scriptures teach us to avoid all appearance of
evil. So, when you go after God, don't walk out on the edge, trying to
see how much you can get by with. Go all out in God's direction. Conduct
yourself in a way that will put to rest any question about whether or
not you're a Christian. Let the people around you see your love and
faith and purity in every situation.
Your example will go a lot
further than your words. When our son, John, was a little boy, we were
spending time with my grandparents. John was sleeping with my granddaddy
and he woke him up in the night and said, "Pop, I have an earache.
Would you pray for it?" Well, my grandparents were raised in a church
that didn't believe in healing. I don't know what Pop did, but it didn't
work. So, John just got up and said, "I'm going to go get in bed with
my mother. When she prays, it stops hurting." About 18 years later, Pop
told me the story.
You see, I had set an example of faith and love
and John remembered it. While your children are growing up, they might
forget some of the sermons you've preached or act like they're not
interested in the things of God. But they'll never forget your example.
Even
at the place where you work or go to school or just in your
neighborhood, people might reject or argue with the words you say. But
they'll never refute or forget your acts of love.
Don't let petty
sins and spiritual compromises cast a shadow over your example. Live
above reproach and let the light of Jesus shine brightly through you.
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