You're Being Watched

Recently I saw a program about a young violinist that was fascinating and would like to relate an item I gleaned from it.  The violinist had been studying a piece of music for several months and was eagerly anticipating what he was about to see and hear.  He was about to see it performed by one of the foremost masters of the violin.  The young man had listened to recordings and read all that he could about technique, the piece and it’s composer and, of course, practiced, practiced and practiced some more.

But now, watching the virtuoso’s bow coax emotion out of the instrument, he understood how the piece should be performed.  He knew now how the piece should be performed.  He knew now what the composer intended when he penned the lines.  He watched the performer move his fingers, and his whole body, to extract real depth of feeling out of what had been only ink on pieces of paper.

The young man learned more from that one performance than he had learned on his own and from books.

We learn by seeing.  Researchers estimate we learn 83% of what we know by watching and observing.  How many skills have each of us learned from watching alone?  Visual aids help us retain what we’ve learned and teach us the fine nuances of a skill. They inspire us to accomplish what we may not have thought possible.

God illuminates His law for us with personal examples in the Bible, examples of His commandments in action and His commandments being broken.  He clearly spells out the consequences in each case.  God knows that examples are clearer and more powerful than words alone.  The life of Jesus shows us the intent of God’s law we did not see in the written code.

A righteous example adds credence and force to the way of life we teach.  We are representatives, ambassadors, of God’s government.  Think of all the people outside of God’s Church we come into contact with during each day.  How well does our personal example represent God’s way to them?

Our examples can add to what the Church proclaims through its various means.  Just as the prophets some times acted out the prophecies they proclaimed, we should act out the establishment of God’s government and values on this earth.

The examples of a person who can remain faithfully confident, even joyful, under stress and in spite of personal trails can convince us of godly faith and joy more than if we would search a concordance for every biblical mention of those words. That’s the way God made us.

Peter said we should act so that people are forced to respect our way of life (I Peter 2:12). This glorifies God.  People will eventually come to see that only Christ living in us enabled us to be honest citizens, profitable employees and good neighbors.  They will see that our life style required the love and help of God.  Our examples should point to a better way of doing things and revel Satan’s world as a counterfeit (Ephesians 5:8, 11).

We must be positive examples.  Treat your neighbors with God’s love and treat them with joy.  There are enough pessimists today.  A positive person stands out.  We need to smile when we are out in the public.  God’s law of love isn't a nicey-nice Protestant sentiment. But God’s law living in our life should produce a joyful, positive outlook or our Christianity isn’t working.

An example needs to be noticed.  Christ said that we are the light of the world.  Don’t go out of your way to hide you belief and faith in God.  Don’t be afraid to be different from the world. Use the talents God has given you to show His virtue.  You don’t know when someone will notice your example and benefit from it.

We need to become comfortable with being seen.  If we are to become leaders in His kingdom,we need to practice now.  People should see the evidence of the Holy Spirit within us: power, love and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).

Christ is our chief example. Read the gospel accounts, noting Christ’s actions.  Read about the lives of our forefathers.  What does God commend in their lives?  What does He condemn?

Do our works, in every small aspect, show people the benefits of living God’s way of life? Can our neighbors, looking at our example, more easily understand God’s law?  Are we an encouragement to the new converts and long time servants that God has called?   This is a big part of our calling to be true followers of His way.