‘…Be an example’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV
Andrew Murray wrote, ‘God has no more precious gift…than a man who lives as an embodiment of His will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do.’ When Paul writes, ‘Be an example,’ he means ‘be a role model.’ The first car off the assembly line is a prototype of all that follows. Dressmakers study the pattern, and then design the garment accordingly.
The word ideal sounds lofty, and it is. But even if you don’t achieve the ideal, it should still be your goal. What Paul was saying to young Timothy was, ‘When you talk about Jesus, people should see so much of Him in your life that they desire to know Him. When you talk about faith, the evidence of it should be so compelling that they want to live by it.’
Bruce Carroll sings: ‘I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way. Actions speak much louder than all that words can say. That’s why I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.’ Lectures may be wise and true but it’s better for people to learn through seeing it lived out, rather than hearing words spoken. Words may be misunderstood but a life of love is difficult to misinterpret.
SoulFood: Nahum 1-3, Luke 11:45-54, Ps 119:1-8, Pr 17:3
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright 2012
