What Is Your Example?

Christians are supposed to set an example. Just as the name Christian would imply, we are supposed to live by the example that Christ set for us. So, what does this mean? Well, how did Jesus live? Despite His divine origin, He came to us in humility. Even His birth showed the importance of a humbled nature. Many people will think of the manger scene and will imagine this warm and inviting Christmas scene. But, well, imagine a barn yard. Some of you probably don't have to imagine too hard. I'm sure some of you have been to one, perhaps some of you own one. But just think of a barn yard. Imagine the dirt. Imagine the filth. Imagine the smell. Now, think of where the animals are housed at. This wouldn't exactly be an ideal place to give birth, would it? But this is exactly the type of setting where Jesus was born in.

Growing up, Jesus would've had to deal with the shadow of what was thought to be His mother's indiscretion, her infidelity, or what was assumed to be. They knew she was pregnant before she married, and they perceived that Jesus was not Joseph's son. Most would not have believed Mary when she claimed that she was still a virgin. During that time it would have been a much bigger deal than it would be these days. Back then it would have been this huge scandal. It was so big, in fact, that Mary could have been stoned if Joseph would have called for it. So, already we see Him in very humble earthly origins.

After working as a carpenter like Joseph had, for 30 years, He began His ministry. During this time He began telling people about God, and bringing them new information. Was he forceful with what He taught? Did He try to brow beat the truth into people? No. He just spoke. It was the power in the words that He spoke that created the reaction. He presented the information and allowed the people to decide if they would accept it or reject it. He taught a message of grace, hope, humility, forgiveness, compassion, love, repentance, and salvation. This message created a divided reaction. There were those that loved Him, believed Him, and followed Him. Then there were those who hated Him, those who did not want this message to spread. They hated Him so much that eventually He was crucified. This shows another example of His humility, because His innocent blood was shed in a way that was reserved for the worst of criminals. Then, after He died, he was buried among criminals. (Yet, keep in mind that He rose again 3 days later and is at the right hand of God.)

Jesus' life and death shows us the significance of being humble. He stressed that we show compassion to our fellow man. He showed us how we can reach people by teaching and talking peacefully, rather than forceful. To follow in His example, we need to set aside our pride. We need to stop exalting ourselves, and instead exalt the Heavenly Father. We need to show love and compassion, and be willing to forgive, even our enemies. We need to be careful of our anger, even. Righteous anger is okay. This means to be angry with the evil and injustice that's in the world. But even then, we need to be careful, and not let it consume us. If we're not careful, anger can destroy. Jesus knew this, obviously, and this is why we're often cautioned about it, why He tells us not to go out in anger. We're cautioned against it. In one instance, He even compared unrighteous anger with murder, because unrighteous anger towards someone that's in your heart is already the same, it's already a sin.

When we try to teach others about Christ, and the gift that He offers us, we shouldn't go out and basically try to beat someone over the head with the truth, or anything like that. Nor should we scream and carry on if they don't believe us, if they don't believe the Bible, or in God. Chances are the average person isn't going to accept it at first anyway. I mean, if you think about it, for those of you who are saved, how long did it take you to believe, to accept? How many times did you have to hear the message? How many times did you resist? If we act out against those who are hesitant, or even if they're trying to push our buttons, acting out in anger against them is only going to serve to push them further away, perhaps even permanently. Our job isn't to make people believe. It's simply to go out and present Christ's message, and allow the power that's behind that message to create the change. Simply plant the seed, that's all. It's the Holy Spirit that comes in and does the rest. It's the Holy Spirit that takes care of all the work that's involved, and it's transformation. We just need to share the message.

As Christians, it is so important to live the example that Christ set, because the world looks at us, expecting us to represent Him. Don't we want to be certain that they see an accurate representation? Or, at least as accurate of a representation that we can humanly show?


< Return to Christian Living