C A R L B. G A R N E R

OUR EXAMPLE

In the congregation I attended as a teenager there was a large group of young people, and the elders made sure we had plenty of instruction. In my adult years it has been my privilege to work with and learn from many excellent teachers and preachers of the Gospel. My own children benefited from these same men and women. In my youth, the passage from which many of those lessons came was 1 Timothy 4:12. Written through inspiration by the hand of Paul, the message was one of warning and encouragement to a Christian who was younger [though the word ³youth² was commonly used for men up into their 40¹s]. While it does have a powerful and provoking lesson for young people, it is surely not limited to them. Note the Holy Spirit¹s words therein: ³Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.²

Young and old alike have heard the mandate of being a positive example of what a believer should be, say, think and do. Those of us in the Lord's church should constantly try to allow Christ to live in us just as He did in Paul and others in the early church, Galatians 2:20.

IN WORD
To Christians in Colossae, Paul wrote the following words: ³But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds,² Colossians 3:8-9. Some things change as we grow as a Christian, including the words we choose. Truthful words will always replace lying. Edifying words will always replace filthy, profane speech. Respectful words will always replace blasphemy. It will always be true that you can tell much about a man¹s character by the words that come from his heart. Jesus said, ³Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh,² Matthew 12:34. The world will make its judgment of us by the words we use. Therefore, we must always be a good example of a Christian by our words.

IN MANNER OF LIFE
Who can have any respect for a person who claims to follow Jesus, yet lives as though he never heard of Him? We have a word for that in our culture: Hypocrite! Our lifestyle must be in harmony with our words. Does your manner of life include elements that will strengthen your influence upon your peers? Or are they sickened by the contradiction in what you say and how you behave?
³Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God,²

1 Peter 2:11-12. Our words and life must be in harmony with our claims.

IN LOVE
The way this word is used today is a shame to our generation. In the Bible, the term agape represents a love transcending ordinary motives and causes. It describes an attitude toward others that is like God¹s attitude toward us. We are hardly deserving of God¹s love, but still He extends it toward us, Romans 5:6-8. Our family, neighbors and work associates may not always deserve our good will, but if we are genuine examples of Christ, we will still seek their best interests, in spite of their undeserving manners. We may not always like their behavior, but we can love them as God loves us and them. ³Love ye your enemies, and do good,² Luke 6:35.

IN SPIRIT In this verse, the word spirit refers to a person¹s attitude. When a person has a good attitude, he/she can often accomplish things that otherwise cannot be done. Paul said, ³I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,² Philippians 4:13. Can others see Christ in our attitude toward life and others? Or does it portray a poor example of believers?

IN FAITH
The history of Israel is brought before our thoughts in Hebrews 11. Looking through that list of their great heroes we discover faith that can overcome obstacles which would destroy others. A faith like that of Noah, Abraham, Gideon and the prophets. The more we know of God¹s Word the stronger our faith will be, Romans 10:17. Is your faith an example of a true believer?

IN PURITY Paul also told Timothy, ³Keep thyself pure,² 1 Timothy 5:22. In order to do this we must first be willing to submit our will to God¹s will. We must be willing to keep ourselves from thoughts and actions that are impure. We will have to ³Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good,² Romans 12:9. We will ³abstain from all appearance of evil,² 1 Thessalonians 5:22. Are you an example of purity to others? When your friends observe your life, do they see in you an example of what Jesus wants them to see? ³Be thou an example...²