These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
Make no mistake about this biblical truth: Your life . . . my life . . . everyone’s life will serve as either an example to follow or a warning to avoid. As one who worked as a coach for decades, I have always been dismayed by high-profile athletes who insist, “I’m not a role model!” The truth is, they may not want to be a role model, but they most certainly are for someone who is watching. The same can be said of everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ.
You do understand that you are the only “Bible” some people will ever read, yes? Many unbelievers — particularly those raised in the West during the last 30 years — know nothing about the 66 books of sacred Scripture, but they know a great deal about the life they see you living before their eyes. And if they know you to be a disciple of Jesus, the way you live is what they will come to believe about the Jesus of the Bible.
The question that you and I must ask ourselves is this: Is my life serving as an example to follow? Or is it a warning to avoid?
I want to make something perfectly clear: I am not saying we must live a perfect life. Only Jesus did that. We live every aspect of our lives imperfectly. We all do things we ought not do, we say things we ought not say, and we think things we ought not think. What I am talking about is the desire to live a life that is pleasing to God, recognizing that it will not be perfect on this side of the grave.
Peter’s life was far from perfect; he denied our Lord three times and later refused to eat with Gentile Christians, earning a sharp rebuke from the apostle Paul (Galatians 2:11-14). Yet the life Peter lived serves as a wonderful example of what it means to live for nothing smaller than Jesus, even while living imperfectly. Every great saint in Scripture and in the history books had their share of blemishes and warts that all the world could see. But those failings just make them more real to us.
If you’re anything like me, your own failings are all too real. Others may not see our shortcomings, we know they are there. We are painfully aware when we do not measure up to the standards Scripture sets for us. But in spite of our sins, God has chosen us to put the Gospel on display. Remember, God uses imperfect people because that’s all He’s got!
Have you considered the example you are setting for those who are watching you? When you mess things up (as you inevitably will), confess your sin and ask for forgiveness, both from God and those you have offended or hurt. Then get on with life, asking God to give you His supernatural strength to live it for His glory and the good of others.
Everyone is an example . . . including you. The question is not whether you are an example, but rather what kind of example are you setting? Christian, be an example of one who is living for the glory of God.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 