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The
Footprints Of Christ On Our Hearts
"Christians should be so good
as by their example to influence others." - Matthew Henry
"The greater our reputation
for knowledge and sanctity, the greater mischief we shall do by our
influence and example if we turn aside from the holy commandment
delivered unto us. Every man should walk so as either to light or lead
his brother to heaven. It is the duty of every Christian to watch
against apostasy in his own case, and to prevent it as much as possible
in that of others." - Adam Clarke
The best way to learn is by example. God knew that so, throughout the
Word, He admonishes us to not only watch who we are following but how we
are leading or influencing others.
The Methodist Story offers this
insightful quote - "Every Christian
occupies some kind of pulpit and preaches some kind of sermon every
day."
The question we must ask ourselves is - What kind of
sermons are we preaching unto others through our lifestyles?
So many want to "talk the talk," but how many
can really "walk the walk"?
Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we are influencing others'
lives every moment of the day.
In which direction are we
steering them -
toward God or toward the
world, the flesh, and the devil?
An often quoted remark is - "It's better caught than
taught." Oh! How true this is! People are more influenced
and inspired in seeing how we live out our messages than hearing what we
actually preach and teach.
The Apostle Paul told Timothy - a man most likely in his early 40's - "Let
no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers..."(1
Timothy 4:12). In other words, what the Apostle was saying was
- Live as to be an example. Rid your life of any levity, recklessness,
carelessness, immaturity, or playfulness often characteristic of
"youth." Recognize the
gravity of your assignment from God. People's souls are at stake here.
Your life can either turn them toward God or away from Him. Watch and be
sober.
Paul also admonished Titus with these words -
"In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity"(Titus
2:7).
Did you notice that he equated
"doctrine" with
"pattern of good works"? Our personal life is
classified as being on the same plane as our Biblical teaching. Why is
that? Because God knows that people receive just as much from seeing us
live out what we preach as what we say. Hence, it is vital that we pay
close attention to our Daily Walk with Jesus. It cannot be neglected in
the slightest measure.
We must be careful to always manifest purity and incorruption in our
teaching - never mixing truth with error - as well as in our actions -
never giving anyone an excuse to sin.
In order to lead others correctly, we must keep in check who we are
following.
Paul addressed the Thessalonians by saying -
"And ye became followers of us, and of the
Lord..."(1 Thessalonians 1:6). In other words, they
became imitators of those who were closely following Jesus.
Certain Scriptures clearly admonish us to pattern our lives after Jesus
-
Philippians 2:5 -
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
Hebrews 12:2 -
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the
joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
1 Peter 2:21-23 -
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: WHO DID NO SIN,
NEITHER WAS GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH: Who, when He was reviled, reviled
not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to
Him that judgeth righteously."
1 John 2:6 - "He that
saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He
walked."
Since example is so effectual in leaving impressions on others' hearts
and minds, it is crucial that we only follow those who display
the footprints of Christ on their hearts.
The writer of Hebrews gave this command -
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who
have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering
the end of their conversation."(Hebrews 13:7).
The Apostle Peter said it this way -
"Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock"(1 Peter 5:3).
We are to imitate the "faith"
of those who have walked or are walking with Jesus. Any leaders,
guides, directors - who by their godly example - can show that they
have been with the Master are the ones to copy. They will never be
"lords" -
tyrannizing God's people through compulsion, force, and coercion to do
as they direct - but through holiness, humility, self-denial,
self-abasement, and heavenly-mindedness - be "patterns," types,
and models for them.
The Apostle John offered this godly counsel -
"Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.
He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God."(3
John 1:11)
The Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary
offers a very insightful comment here -
"The proof of our commitment to God is that we
personally reject evil and embrace a life patterned after that which
is good...The lifestyle that we exhibit is a direct reflection of the
extent to which we have seen God. If we were to see God perfectly, we
would never sin. Our sin is a result of a faulty vision of God.
Therefore, the Scriptures encourage us to look at Christ...for the day
when we see Him perfectly will be the day that we will be like Him."
Oh! Christian, are you personally rejecting evil and embracing
a life patterned after that which is good?
Are you imitating those who are doing the same?
Or do you have a faulty vision of God in that you excuse sin
in yourself and others?
Are you following a leader who is living a "loose," compromising,
and worldly lifestyle and encouraging others to do so?
Can others see that you have been with Jesus by your godly
example?
Are you imitating those who reflect the footprints of
Jesus in their hearts, in that they display through their
godly lifestyle, that He is living - walking and talking - through
them
It's extremely important
that we get the message the Holy Spirit is teaching us today.
Our lifestyle matters!
No matter what people think or say - it matters!
At no time are we to ever "become a
stumblingblock" - an occasion of sin - or cause
another "brother to offend"
- be the reason why he was led into error and sin(1
Corinthians 8:9,13).
We cannot be complacent, indifferent, or lazy in this regard.
God told us to follow the example of the
"ant" and to glean much
wisdom from her - "Go to the ant,
thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise"(Proverbs
6:6). We cannot afford to waste time, love ease, live
in idleness, while paying no attention to how we apply the Scriptures
to our lives. The souls of others are at stake here. We are preaching
some kind of sermon to others. Someone is following our example. God
forbid that we would lead them astray or present them with an occasion
to sin.
In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul outlines six
areas for Timothy to mold his life after so that he,
in turn, could be a
pattern for others - "Let no man
despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word,
in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
As Christians, with the diligence of the "ant,"
we must watch -
...our conversation that it's always edifying and in line with the
Truth of God's Word;
...our behavior that it's kept under a strict guard so that it's godly
and Christlike;
...our love for God and our fellow man that it's the principle and
motive behind all that we do;
...our "spirit"
or attitude that it always reflects that we are under the control of
the Holy Spirit;
...our "faith"
so as to encourage others to completely and absolutely trust in the
Lord;
...our "purity"
which will be reflected in how we conduct ourselves in our
relationships with the opposite sex.
Does your heart have the "footprints
of Jesus" in it?
Are you rejecting evil and
patterning your life after that which is good?
Are you imitating only those who
have a clear vision of God in that they hate sin and preach against it
at every opportunity?
Does your lifestyle reflect the
six areas above, as outlined by the Apostle Paul
for Timothy and all believers to follow?
Just how diligent are you when it
comes to applying the Word of God to your lifestyle so that you may
present a perfect pattern for others to follow?
Just remember - this very day you will preach
"some kind of sermon" to those
with whom you come in contact.
What exactly will your message be?
Will it cause others to stumble or will
it stir them to draw closer to the Lord?
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
| © COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved
