A Good Example:
T"hose things, which you have both learned and received andheard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you"Philippians 4:9 Paul admonishes the Philippians to closely follow the proclaimed truth of God while also allowing his personal example of that truth to impact their lives as well. If they imitated what was demonstrated in his example, they would also experience the peace of God like never before. Obedience does just that. It brings peace and comfort from knowing and obeying the truth. But notice the four methods of learning in the above verse. Paul said that the listener had heard him. Paul, we know, provided them with many opportunities to come under the hearing of the Word of God. The Bible says that Paul stayed as long as three years in one place in order to teach God's Word to a select group of listeners. Next, Paul also said that he taught in such a way that people could see the truth he taught lived out in everyday life. Like Christ, he was a walking, talking, living example of Godliness to a lost world. What do others see when they look at our life? Are they impressed with how we handle our finances, treat our kids, or love our spouse? Are we an example where we work? What would Jesus think of our lifestyle and how we treat others? All that Paul was able to teach and the example of Christ-likeness he prescribed resulted in their learning how to be Godly. As students of Paul, they not only learned it with their heads, but received it into their hearts. It made a difference in everything they did—the way God intended for it to work. Paul gave more than excellent teaching and a sermon illustration, he gave them the intimacy of a life lived out before them. They were able to see all of Paul. Will you take the initiative and seek someone who needs your good example and wants to be like Christ because of how you live? Demonstrate discipleship in your life by precept and practice. Change the world, one person at a time.
Dave Grimes
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