What Do Others See In Us?

Richard Thetford

Several years ago I taught a teenage class and we studied the book entitled ““I Can Do It” by Willard Conchin. These lessons focused on our Christian life and how we can better serve God by determining to examine every area of our life, ensuring that we are doing our best for the Lord. One of these lessons showed us how we can be a good example before others.

Everyone Is An Example

Everyone of us is an example. The question is "what kind of example are we?" We can be a good example or a bad example and no matter where we are, or what we're doing we are confessing or denying Christ by our example (Matthew 10:32-33). Our greatest example is Jesus Christ. It is Jesus that we should imitate as we strive to serve Him each day. But there are many other Bible examples. Names such as Abraham, David, Solomon, Moses, Jonah, Lot's wife, Noah, and Jacob to name just a few are all examples. In each of their lives we can read the recorded accounts of the kind of example they were before God. What is it that others are writing about us? Can it be said of us that we are examples worthy to be imitated. The apostle Paul said: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). It would be so good if each one of us would be able to make that kind of statement and to prove it by the way we DO live our life.

We Are Preaching

Whether we want to be a preacher or not, the fact is that we ARE preaching a lesson to others every day that we live. Hopefully, the lesson we are preaching is one that will have a positive, godly influence upon others. Several years ago a dear sister in Christ, Ellen Kyle wrote the following poem:

The Only Bible

If your life was the only Bible others were able to read,

How would you tell God's story to a world in desperate need?

Could those who never opened God's book still learn of God's love and care,

Would they see a Christ-like example, the one God tells us to wear?

Would they see the same love that Christ had, for the lost souls on this earth?

Would the way that you treat your brother reflect what a soul is worth?

Would you be an example to others of gentleness, faith and love?

For these are virtues that can only be gained by trusting in God above.

Would you teach meekness and temperance in all that you say and do?

Would others see peace, longsuffering and joy, as the fruits of God's spirit shine through?

Would your life be such an example that souls to Christ you could lead,

If your life was the only Bible they were ever able to read?

It is good for us to always examine our life and make sure that all we do is truly pleasing to God. Paul said: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Can it be said of us that we are Christians because one can tell by the manner of life that we live? If everyone did measure Christians by the life that we live, what would they really think about Christians?

We should never be afraid to have others pattern their lives after ours because we should be living the Christian life every day. We should be as bold as Paul when he said: "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:9).