“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” Hebrews 12:2 NIV
Choose wisely, because your choice of examples influences your life.
My thoughts and comments today are about “the power of example.”
Anything you have to do but haven’t done before can be done better if you have an example to follow. The better and clearer the example, the faster you can learn and the better you will do. Much of what you learn, you will learn from watching others. Much of one’s marriage and family skills are learned from watching your own parents, without ever realizing you were doing so. Marriage can be interesting; two unique people who have had different examples, each assuming their way is the right way. Now that makes those first years interesting.
The example you choose to follow is very important because you will emulate both the good and the bad of what they demonstrate. Consciously or otherwise, your thoughts, attitudes, behavior, and beliefs are learned by example. Choose wisely, because your choice influences your life. Life is the product – for good or bad – of who and what you watch and admire. Be careful about the friends you choose, the music you listen to, the entertainment you enjoy, and the people you admire.
In your faith-life, teaching, worship, and fellowship are more important than you may realize.
Teaching that is true to God’s Word, with the consistent example of those who teach it, offers you truth that you can trust and is unchanging; its principles will guide and shape everything you are and do. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7 NIV.
Worship is looking into the face of God with adoring wonder at His greatness and grace, caring and compassion, while your inner man is being shaped by that reality. That’s much more than singing a few songs on Sunday. Singing won’t change you, but worship will transform you from the inside out. “All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into His likeness in an ever greater degree of glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 TEV.
Fellowship sets priority for those who share your faith and model the life you choose to live. See 2 Peter 1:1 NLT.The faith-life is best lived in community. ”Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another . .” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV. Church is so much more than a place where you go; a church is a company of people with whom you choose to share life together.
The most powerful and perfect example of all is Jesus. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith . . the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 12:2/13:8 NIV. Other examples will be flawed and incomplete. Jesus is the consummate example of who you can and should be. Choose as He chose. Think as Jesus thought. Believe as Jesus believed. Obey as Jesus obeyed. Serve as Jesus served. Live as Jesus lived. Love as Jesus loves. Jesus’ invitation is the same to you as to those first disciples, “Follow Me.”
My prayer for you today is that you are an Godly example to others as Jesus is to you.