by Robert Fudge

12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Paul, to the young preacher Timothy says to be a good example. We all learn by example. It is much more effective to see someone do something than for that person to just tell us how to do it. I am impressed with the power of example every time I am with my grandson. I will see him watching me do something and then he will imitate what I have just done. We all have heard cute stories about small children following the example of a parent or teacher or someone else. The reality of this is that we are given an awesome responsibility to show others how to live for Christ. We can make the Gospel attractive or we can turn people off to Christ by the way we live and conduct ourselves. Peter says in 1 Peter 3:1-2: In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

Our conduct as Christians can determine if our invitation to others (to come to church, to study God’s word with us) will be heeded. One of the most serious things about example is that we don’t know when someone else is watching or even following. Several years ago, a lady at church told me that her son did not want to wear a belt to church that Sunday morning. After she persisted and finally questioned why, he said that “Brother Fudge doesn’t wear one.” At that time I wore the beltless slacks. Who would have thought that this young boy would have noticed that or would have wanted to imitate that? If you have ever taught a young children’s class, you know they will do and say what they hear at home. It might embarrass the parents but they follow our example; good or bad.

What example do we show others in our speech, conduct, love, faith and purity? Actions speak louder than words. When I say that I am a Christian, it is telling the world around me that I am following the example of Jesus in my life. This means that I should be able (as did the Apostle Paul) to tell others to follow my example as I follow the example of Christ. By our example we are leading others either to be more like God or away from God.

Lord, help me today to follow the example of Jesus in my life. Help me to use speech that will help others and encourage them along their path of life. Give me strength to conduct my life so that others will see Jesus living in me. Fill me with your love so that it overflows to all those with whom I come in contact today. Strengthen my faith so that no matter what challenge I face, I will know and feel your presence and will follow your way and do your will. Give me a pure heart that my thoughts and actions will be holy, even as you are holy. Make me an example of what you want us all to be so that I may bring others to you. We ask these things in the name of Jesus, your son and our savior.

May God bless each of us to be a good example to others today.