“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
“I once received an anonymous note asking me to call on the lady principal of a school. She was a woman of very brilliant gifts but professed to be an utter unbeliever. I called one day at the school and received a very cordial reception, but the woman said, “I do not believe anything. I do not even read the Bible because it seems wrong for one to read it and disbelieve everything in it as I do.”
As I talked with her, she insisted that she was confirmed in her unbelief, and that there was no possibility of her being led out of it. But suddenly she began to weep and I said to her, “Why are you crying?” “Oh,” she said, “there is one thing I cannot get over, and that is my father’s life. My father was a minister of the gospel, and whenever I think of the holy life he lived, I feel that there must be something in Christianity. I cannot get over his life.” She had tried hard to do so, but she had failed utterly.
Starting out from this point, I was able to tell her how she could find out for herself that beyond a peradventure the Bible was the Word of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. She promised to follow the plan suggested, and I afterwards had the privilege of receiving her into membership in the church.
But my reasonings would have been of no avail if she had not been prepared to listen to them by the insurmountable argument of her own father’s holy life. The best argument for Christianity is a Christian life.” (R.A. Torrey, Anecdotes and Illustrations, pp. 81-82)
1 Timothy 4:12 contains some important words from the Apostle Paul to his young apprentice in the ministry, Timothy. As his mentor, Paul sought to impart his greatest bits of wisdom to Timothy. Paul taught Timothy about problems in the church, faith issues and doctrine, prayer, and church leadership. Paul also wanted Timothy to understand that anyone in the church desiring to follow Christ faithfully must “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). To earn the respect of those around him, Timothy needed to realize that his life and actions would be closely examined. He needed to live up to the example of Christ. Though he was young, Timothy still had to stand out for his faith and be an example to others. This would help others to determine how to live as a follower of Christ.
Every day, there are people who scrutinize you. Your children will watch your actions and listen to your speech. Peers will discuss what you say and what you stand for. Your choices and decisions, actions and words will affect the lives of all those in your sphere of influence. Your example will determine whether they see Christians as trustworthy or deceptive. Your words will cause those around you to evaluate their relationship with God. For good or bad, you are God’s ambassador. Some will decide whether to believe in Jesus based solely on your example.
I have found that a good Christian will always affect others in a good way. Bad Christians or weak Christians will have the opposite effect. A good Christian father helped his daughter to find faith In Jesus as mentioned in the opening story for this meditation. Bad examples of Christians have encouraged others to leave the church, give up on faith, fall into sin, even reject Christ. What kind of an example will you be to those you meet today?
During the Nazi occupation of his country in World War II, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused. "Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.
"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.
"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier." Within minutes the flag was taken down.
King Christian X of Denmark knew that his example would make a difference in the land and for the people. He was willing to put his life on the line to do the right thing. He has been long remembered for this act of bravery.
Long after your funeral words have been spoken, your life and actions will live on in the lives and memories of others. If you were an example of true faith in Jesus, that example will affect centuries of people in ways you may never imagine. I am reminded of a young boy who was deeply affected by the wonderful words of a sermon from a visiting pastor. The pastor didn’t realize until years later that his words had a profound affect on that boy. The boy just happened to be Billy Graham, one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century.
You can never fully know how your life of faith will affect others. That is not your goal anyway. Your goal is to emulate Jesus Christ. In so doing, your example will affect the lives of others. If you do it right, your example of faith will inspire generations to come. So, make today count!
As I talked with her, she insisted that she was confirmed in her unbelief, and that there was no possibility of her being led out of it. But suddenly she began to weep and I said to her, “Why are you crying?” “Oh,” she said, “there is one thing I cannot get over, and that is my father’s life. My father was a minister of the gospel, and whenever I think of the holy life he lived, I feel that there must be something in Christianity. I cannot get over his life.” She had tried hard to do so, but she had failed utterly.
Starting out from this point, I was able to tell her how she could find out for herself that beyond a peradventure the Bible was the Word of God, and Jesus Christ the Son of God. She promised to follow the plan suggested, and I afterwards had the privilege of receiving her into membership in the church.
But my reasonings would have been of no avail if she had not been prepared to listen to them by the insurmountable argument of her own father’s holy life. The best argument for Christianity is a Christian life.” (R.A. Torrey, Anecdotes and Illustrations, pp. 81-82)
1 Timothy 4:12 contains some important words from the Apostle Paul to his young apprentice in the ministry, Timothy. As his mentor, Paul sought to impart his greatest bits of wisdom to Timothy. Paul taught Timothy about problems in the church, faith issues and doctrine, prayer, and church leadership. Paul also wanted Timothy to understand that anyone in the church desiring to follow Christ faithfully must “set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). To earn the respect of those around him, Timothy needed to realize that his life and actions would be closely examined. He needed to live up to the example of Christ. Though he was young, Timothy still had to stand out for his faith and be an example to others. This would help others to determine how to live as a follower of Christ.
Every day, there are people who scrutinize you. Your children will watch your actions and listen to your speech. Peers will discuss what you say and what you stand for. Your choices and decisions, actions and words will affect the lives of all those in your sphere of influence. Your example will determine whether they see Christians as trustworthy or deceptive. Your words will cause those around you to evaluate their relationship with God. For good or bad, you are God’s ambassador. Some will decide whether to believe in Jesus based solely on your example.
I have found that a good Christian will always affect others in a good way. Bad Christians or weak Christians will have the opposite effect. A good Christian father helped his daughter to find faith In Jesus as mentioned in the opening story for this meditation. Bad examples of Christians have encouraged others to leave the church, give up on faith, fall into sin, even reject Christ. What kind of an example will you be to those you meet today?
During the Nazi occupation of his country in World War II, King Christian X of Denmark noticed a Nazi flag flying over a Danish public building. He immediately called the German commandant, demanding that the flag be taken down at once. The commandant refused. "Then a soldier will go and take it down." said the king.
"He will be shot," threatened the commandant.
"I think not," replied the king, "for I shall be the soldier." Within minutes the flag was taken down.
King Christian X of Denmark knew that his example would make a difference in the land and for the people. He was willing to put his life on the line to do the right thing. He has been long remembered for this act of bravery.
Long after your funeral words have been spoken, your life and actions will live on in the lives and memories of others. If you were an example of true faith in Jesus, that example will affect centuries of people in ways you may never imagine. I am reminded of a young boy who was deeply affected by the wonderful words of a sermon from a visiting pastor. The pastor didn’t realize until years later that his words had a profound affect on that boy. The boy just happened to be Billy Graham, one of the greatest preachers of the twentieth century.
You can never fully know how your life of faith will affect others. That is not your goal anyway. Your goal is to emulate Jesus Christ. In so doing, your example will affect the lives of others. If you do it right, your example of faith will inspire generations to come. So, make today count!