There’s a beautiful song written by Carrie E. Breck over one hundred years ago which is a perfect example of this concept…
I want my life to tell for Jesus,
That everywhere I go,
Men may His goodness know,
I want my life to tell for Jesus!
(Timeless Truths online library)
The Apostle John tells us the Holy Spirit was sent to “convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment (John 16:8).” Does he need our help with any of those? No!!!! But, we have a beautiful responsibility to represent the Lord to the world…
Be an example [become a pattern] to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
In everything set them an example by doing what is good (Titus 2:7)
being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3)
Don’t be fooled, you are an example for good or bad…
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:13-16)
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
So what kind of example should we be…
- Speech
- Let your “reasoning expressed by words” be representative of your new life in Christ. Don’t go back to the old ways of crude talking, lying, bragging, etc.
- Conduct
- Let your dealing with other men/women, conduct, life, behavior, manner of life be representative of your new life in Christ. Don’t be lazy. Don’t go back to the old ways of cheating, stealing.
- Love
- Let your actions be with affection, good-will, love, benevolence that is representative of your new life in Christ. Don’t be hypocritical or prejudicial. Also read The parable of the despised Samaritan.
- Faith
- Let your faith be simple and child-like in accepting what Jesus Christ has done for you. Don’t “ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 4:23).” Don’t be entrapped by religion.
- Purity
- Live a life of moral cleaness that is representative of your new life in Christ. Don’t go back to the old ways of reckless wild excesses and debauchery. “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).”
The Apostle Peter, who wrote to the Jews in the dispersion, gave advice that is applicable for us today.
Please read the following exhortation.
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (1 Peter 4:1-11)
If you appreciate this please share it with your friends. If you are struggling with any of these concepts please write to us to allow us to join you in this important spiritual journey. If you have been victorious in these things please share with everybody by writing a comment below. May the Lord Bless You!!!!