The best witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ is called a living epistle. Our lives display a version of the Bible. As the Spirit of the living God works in our lives, we are changed into the image of Jesus Christ. As the light of the world, we are called to be examples to all those around us.
The word “example” means a sample or model. We are to display a life that reflects the heart of God. Our demeanor at work and at home is to send a ‘redemptive message’ to the unsaved. They need to see that our lives are different from theirs.
How do our lives become different? Jesus gave the analogy of a branch abiding in a vine, and Peter said our faith is proven through trials. Make no mistake about this, saints. The unsaved are watching to see how we handle the problems, challenges, and heartaches of life. They want to know if our faith is mere talk, or if it has substance.
A fruitful life is the example that a misdirected and lost world needs. As we have seen, fruitfulness comes from abiding in the Vine. It is also the result of our enduring God’s chastening process. How sad to see the ‘heroes’ of Hollywood, sports, television and music industries being looked up to. This certainly isn’t God’s design.
In a real sense, the greatest example we all need to follow is none other than Jesus Christ. His beautiful modeling of humble service and suffering in the will of God are the believer’s pattern to follow. Being an example means that we walk the talk, giving no occasion to the devil to speak reproachfully. Our speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity are living proof that Jesus makes us new creatures. Our example is important!
Dearly beloved, as we live a redeemed lifestyle, our Lord is being preached in the most powerful way. Being an example may be tough at times and drive us to the limits of our patience. We can be examples either of faith or unbelief. The key to exemplary living is “looking unto Jesus”!
