What Kind Of Pattern Are You Setting For Others To Follow?

 

 

 

"Example is more forceful than precept. People look at me six days a week to see what I mean on the seventh day." - Richard Cecil

 

 

James 3:13 tells us - "...let him show out of a good conversation..." 

 

In Acts 24:16, the Apostle Paul said - "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men." 

 

The only possible way to have a blameless conscience is to have a "good conversation" as the Apostle James mentioned in the verse above. "Conversation" in the Bible many times refers to our behavior or  conduct. To have a "good conversation" would be to have a noble, praiseworthy, genuine, virtuous, and honest manner of life.

 

Do we have that before God and men? 

 

The Scriptures refer to our "conversation" before the believers and before the heathen.

In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy as well as all believers with these words - "...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 

 

"Be thou an example" - This word "example" means the mark of a stroke or a blow; a pattern, print, fashion, or form.

 

In what ways are we to be a pattern for others to follow?

"In Word" - We are to be an example in our speech and in our doctrine - teaching nothing but the Word of God.

"In conversation" - We are to be an example in our conduct and behavior.

"In charity" - We are to be an example in our love, affection, and good will to God and men.

"In spirit" - We are to be an example in the governing of our passions, the manner and disposition in which we do all things, and our spiritual mindedness.

"In faith" - We are to be an example in our fidelity - our ability to maintain unshakeable confidence in God at all times.

"In purity" - We are to be an example in the sinlessness of our life and the chastity of our body and mind.

"An example of the believers" - What is needed so desperately today is for those to rise up who can say along with the Apostle Paul - "Be ye followers of Me, even as I also am of Christ"(1 Corinthians 11:1). This can only be possible where a "good conversation" or genuine, virtuous, and honest behavior is present.

 

The Apostle Peter spoke of our conduct before the heathen in 1 Peter 2:12 - "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." 
       
In this particular verse, he stressed an upright and consistent lifestyle. He was referring to a manner of life that was virtuous, commendable, honorable, genuine, and beautiful to behold...one that was to be lived right before the heathen world.

 

In order to hold such a sparkling testimony, we would have to frame our lives by the rules of the Gospel - apply them to every part of our conduct - our business transactions, modes of dress, style of living, entertainment, manner of speech, plans of living, and dealings with others.

 

Paul explained it this way in Philippians 1:27 - "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ..." 

 

Is our conduct after a godly sort?

Is it lived out in a manner worthy of the Gospel? 

 

Many times, throughout the Scriptures, we come across the words "walk worthy." 

Ephesians 4:1 says - "...walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." 

1 Thessalonians 2:12 says - "...walk worthy of God, Who hath called you unto His kingdom and Glory."

 

Both of these Scriptures are summons to all believers to live up to their higher calling in Christ Jesus. Like the word "conversation" used earlier, "walk" also refers to our conduct, behavior, and manner of living. To "walk worthy" is to behave after a godly sort, suitably, appropriately, and in a manner worthy of the Gospel.

 

How do we do that?

 

Colossians 1:10 gives two ways - "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." 

 

The Apostle Paul exhorted us to be "fruitful in every good work." In other words, our hearts are to be fertile soil for the seed of God's Word - producing excellent, upright, and honorable deeds in our lives.

 

He also exhorted all believers to be "increasing in the knowledge of God." We are to hunger after God, become acquainted with His true character, and desire all that there is to know about Him - His ways, purposes, and commands.

 

Accomplishing these two goals causes us to "walk worthy" - walk so as to please Him in all things.

 

Are all believers walking worthily before God and men?

 

Unfortunately, some have turned aside from Him and have become His enemies.
Philippians 3:18-19 offers an explanation - "(For  many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)"

 

Many times Paul addressed the issue of the unworthy walk of some professing to know Christ. He was so moved by their hypocrisy - even to the point of bewailing, mourning, and lamenting their backslidden state. Their "end" had now become destruction, ruin, and utter loss. Their belly became their god. In other words, they lived only to eat, drink, and be merry...worshipped their own appetites...were lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God...lived not to please God but Self in Self-Indulgence and Self-Gratification.

"Whose glory is in their shame" - They now gloried in things that were shameful, dishonest, and disgraceful.
"Who mind earthly things" - Their main motivation in life was to obtain earthly things - wealth, honor, and the pleasures of this world.

 

How important is our lifestyle before God and men?

 

Psalm 50:23 tells us - "...and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." 

 

Only those whose lifestyle is after a godly sort will ever see the salvation of God.

Only those who see the salvation of God will ever make it to heaven and escape eternal punishment in Hell.

 

That is how crucial our lifestyle is before God and men.