Date: 05/29/2023

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to Him be the Glory, Power, and Dominion forever and ever and to the Holy Ghost that is yet abiding in the body. This week’s key phrase is Wisdom in how to “Be an Example”.

In I Timothy 4:12, Paul instructs Timothy as to his obligations, Paul charges him to “be an example to the believers…”  “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” (I Timothy 4:12).  Titus is also encouraged to be an example and to teach others to be an godly example. Brothers and Sisters, Timothy and Titus are not the only people expected to be examples, every born-again child of God is to follow the example of Christ. We should not only identify as Christians because we tell others we are, but we must also exhibit it in our conduct, interactions, speech, attitude and conversations. An example denotes being a pattern, example, or guide for others to follow.

We can be an example by teaching and instructing others in what to do and how to do it. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” ( I Timothy 4:4-5). By doing it for others to see, and to be able to do the same, “ But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:7-8). Those who ought to be examples are ministers of the gospel: Preachers, Teachers, Pastors, Evangelists, Deacons, and Lay-members. Philippians 3:15-17 tells us, “ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample (means to show by example)”.

Examples we should exhibit are : An Example in Word: “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” I Timothy 4: 2, 8). An example in An Example in Conduct: not only is our conduct to be an example to the believers, but honorable among unbelievers, “ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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” (I Peter 2:11-12).  An Example in Love: the Love we are to display is to be manifested toward  God and our Brethren and  our fellow man including our enemies, An Example in Purity: moral or sexual purity, both in thought and act, seems to be the idea. There should be nothing in your contact with the other sex that would give rise to scandal. 

In closing, ask yourself are you calling on the Lord out of a pure heart? If so, let our example be one that illustrates the power of the gospel to impact, our words, conduct, love, and purity.  The next question to ask yourself: What kind of people would we be if everyone followed our own example in these things? May these questions motivate us to examine our lives and correct any deficiencies that we may find. Until next week let us remember, “… with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b).

In His Service,

Bishop Dr. Calvin Worthem

General Chief Overseer/Senior Bishop