In the early years of the Church the apostle Paul was inspired to write an encouraging letter of commendation to a group of people who were the right kind of example to their families and neighbors. Read I Thessalonians 1:2-3, 7.
Often the little things we do make a big difference in the way others see and respond to us. Making guests welcome to your home, sending an encouraging card, thanking the attendant at the store or restaurant, offering a polite word to someone who accidentally bumps into you at the store or on the sidewalk. All such actions add up to a life of helping and caring for others.
All of us need to back off once in a while, step out of the dense forest of our daily responsibilities and take a close and realistic look at ourselves, our labors and our accomplishments, and our daily example.
I am reminded of an appropriate quip: A man’s friend purchased a used car and he asked, “What model is it?” “It’s not a model,” his friend retorted, “It’s a horrible example.” Are we models of God’s way or are we horrible examples?
Our words and examples need to match up, they must not conflict. The old question applies here, “Do you practice what you preach?” As Christians we must practice what we say, what we have been taught, otherwise we become a false example, a false witness of God’s way.
Christ should be our example in everything we do (read I Peter 2:21).
Christ possessed leadership. What kind of an example does a leader set? The stamp of a leader is credibility. As future leaders in God’s government we must practice credibility in our daily lives.
Although it is sometimes difficult to achieve and maintain credibility, the steps are easy to identify and teach:
Always tell the truth. Failing to do so indicate an intention to deceive, whether planned or not. Any inconsistency between what you believe and what you hope another will believe, because of what you do or say, destroys creditability. See Proverbs 26: 18, 19.
Admit your mistakes. We are still human and make mistakes. Why pretend otherwise? When we say, “I was wrong,” it tends to strengthen our credibility when we say, “I’m right.”
When you don’t know or understand something, admit it, say so. Remember God is going to hold us accountable. The small advantage that might be gained momentarily by bluffing is far outweighed by the possibility of losing credibility.
Always keep your promises. I might add even if it hurts. The reaction to an outright lie or a forgotten promise may range from rage to annoyance but breaking a promise makes the other person, mate, child or acquaintance, feel cheated or forgotten.
Credibility is believability on the highest level. One of the highest compliments any of God’s people worldwide can hear is, “If he (or she) says so, you can bank on it.” We should hope that Christ will look on us this way when He returns, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Example is contagious. Our conduct will be imitated by those with whom we work, play and worship.
Don’t do as a common saying goes: “Don’t do as I do, do as I say!” Rather, follow Abraham Lincoln’s advice, “There is just one way to bring up a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself.”
Example can be used as a tool to help build a family, a team, an organization and the Church. It always inspires growth.
Never forget, a good example is worth a thousand sermons. Let’s spread the word with our example.
