Philippians 3:17
“Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”
This is great. We are to be christians that give a good example for others to follow. This is why we aren’t to be christians in isolation. We need examples and we need to be examples.
A new christian needs examples. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.” That says community. It’s a necessity. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” That’s how God created us, to be encouraged by one another.
Part of the purpose of church is to bring people together for their mutual growth. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
We’ve addressed how we are to be an encouragement to one another. We are also not to be stumbling blocks. I Corinthians 10:28 says, ‘But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience.” Romans 14:20 says, “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.” These two verses are referring to eating meat offered to idols. While an Old Testament believer wouldn’t have done this the New Testament christian is free to. Yet, a person with an unsteady conscience or a new believer would have had a problem with this. Some may see a christian doing this and partake themselves, but feel guilty afterwards. Condemnation and shame are two of the devil’s tools that are quite effective on new believers. I Timothy 3:6 says, “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.” New believers aren’t fully aware of this tactic of condemnation. Older believers need to be sensitive with our freedoms and to be careful not to stumble new believers.
There are several areas that could cause others to stumble, drinking alcohol, types of music and movies and so on. We know our friends and are to be careful around them. As we meet others, we are to move cautiously as we get to know them. They may have some sensitivities that could stumble them. Politics is a present problem. It’s very divisive. We need to be careful there.
All in all, we need to be a good example. I Timothy 4:12 says, “Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
God’s ways are full of blessing. Being an example is no different. I was just thinking of a friend in which God has used me. It’s crazy as he is far more gifted in large gifts. Yet, God has used me in his life. He got saved in his early forties. For the past 15 years as he got married, had children and in the middle of raising them, he has done so as a godly man. I am so blessed to have been used in his life. To expound a little more, I am a little wheel at work. He’s a big wheel. Yet, he gives me much respect. Many around who aren’t believers don’t get that. God has prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies. It’s fulfilling relationally, but God has honored me professionally by that. God is a master of all. He honors the lowly.
Thank You Lord for the great examples You’ve given me. Thank You that You’ve blessed me in the lives of others. You’re a god, good God.