CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE

“…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”  Acts 11:26
The word “Christian” may have intended to mean, those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, or it may mean those who ARE like Jesus the Christ. With the former, one would not necessarily be demonstrating what it is to live as a Christian. With the latter, there would be no doubt.  If Jesus were physically among us (as then), I presume He would still be as controversial as He was.  But, as with those who then heard His Word and understood His Gospel message, and were enlightened to Him being the Son of God, and saw His convicting example, so the world, too, today would recognize the example of a Christ-like life. The reality is that the responsibility of example falls on true believers. I do not say “the Christian community” because as a whole, ecumenism has messed things up. The world of Christianity today is just that…The World IN Christianity! It is a mortal compromise.


I am grieved to say, as I have before, that I fail miserably at being an example, and, other than to the Bible, I can not direct anyone to look here or there and see the obvious Christian example. Why not? I have two observations to offer…

1. We hide! I don’t know why but believers are “Christian” in church and in their homes (maybe), but behavior and attitude become “more acceptable” (to the world) in public. The candle under the bushel.
2. We are yet carnal! This is what the world and homogenized, compromised Christianity has produced down through the years. It began almost immediately. Paul had to deal with it in his day. satan is satisfied to have ineffective “Christians”.

Let us read a portion of scripture. It is of some length. I hope to not lose those who are bored these days, by reading. Luke chapter 8...
“A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."
(do you know anyone like this?)

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (these are not saved). They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away (apostates?). And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection (carnal?). But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart (perfect?), having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (maturing?). No man, when he has lit a candle, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but sets it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how you hear: for whosoever has, to him shall be given; and whosoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have”   Luke 8:5-18

So what makes for a Christian example?
Let’s start with LOVE.
“This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”   John 15:12-13.
Jesus is our example as we should be examples to the world; or at least to our little neighborhood. Verse 12 is easy…love one another… brothers and sisters in the Lord. “This I do” say some. “And I would die for some!” Really? I do not question anyone’s sincerity, but…do we really? AGAIN…Jesus is the example to us. And what did Jesus do but manifest the Love of God. The Essence of God. A love which sacrifices self; heals; forgives; saves from damnation; resurrects the dead. A Love which…
“…suffers long, and is kind; envies not; vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”   1 Cor. 13:4-8.  Do we REALLY love?

What else would make for a Christian example?
Well I would suggest that anything a believer does which demonstrates Christ-like behavior has its foundation in Love. Moreover, we would behave in a Christ-like manner because we love. It is more than our motivation. It is the very Life of God in us, because God is Love!
We should keep God’s commandments! Why?…because we love God.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments”   John 14:15.

We should give preference one to another! Why?…because we love the brethren.
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”  1 Pet. 1:22.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another”  Rom. 12:10.

We should give witness and testimony of God’s saving Grace! Why?…because we love God and our neighbor. “for he that loves another has fulfilled the law” Rom.13:8.

This love is an ongoing event; a continuous behavior, not a sporadic reaction to intermittent stimuli. It is a characteristic of one born of God; it is His very nature. A profound study of this one concept, with prayer for God to open our hearts to it, and the learning God will give from it, is very important for every believer. There are readers who are now saying, “Easier said than done, Frank”. It’s just as easy for God to do it as it is for us to say it. I am ashamed of knowing, and NOT doing. The Christ-ian example is in doing.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:10

You know…the theme of the Epistle of James is outward religious service, or “works” if you will. But not works to secure or achieve favor, but the kind of “service” that true faith, and love I might add, creates. It is truly fruit in that it is “produced” by true faith.

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”  James. 2:20.

Faith atrophies if the works it creates are suppressed. Christian love and service will well up in you, wanting release of necessity. It must be manifested. Again… it is the very nature of God in us to want to do good for righteousness’ sake. It must be released. God wants it demonstrated to the world, beginning with His Son. The world thinks God is cruel, even perverted I have heard. We all have heard all kinds of totally wrong things the world says about God. He desires for us to demonstrate His Love, His kindness, His humility, His forbearance, His Salvation, His peace, His forgiveness, His Life…to the world. Oh sure, the world does not want to hear it, but some will. One might say, “the world will not recognize Christ-ian  example”. Oh yes it will…and it will despise it! But some will embrace it. Perhaps because of something Christ-ian you do… or something Christ-ian I do…in His will.