Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
We live in a world where Christian witness is becoming more and more a challenge. Not many people listen to sermons seriously and the distractions in the social media makes new opportunities of conveying the gospel equally challenging. The best option in that context is to Live the gospel. Even as Paul writes to Timothy he exhorts the young person to live as examples to others.
Here are some suggestions that we could use as touchstones to assess if we are able to model our lives as living examples
1 – Live a life that no one despises.
- A life that is free from Hypocrisy
- A Life that does not live in Lies
- A Life that is not Prone to Violence
- A Life that does not grab what does not belong
- A Life that does not seek Unfair means of achieving heights
2 – Be an example in the words you use.
It is always good to ensure that our words are
- Comforting words
- Encouraging Words
- Healing Words
- Hope filled words
- Reconciling Words
3 – Be an example in your conduct.
- A conduct that is keen on Letting others smile
- A conduct that is willing to let go for the sake of others
- A conduct determined to Making use of every opportunity to do good
- A conduct that is committed to Making oneself available to those in need
- A conduct that ensures Making the best of time
4 – Be an example in love.
- Love within the Home
- Love in the neighbourhood
- Love within the church
- Love and the last, lost and least.
- Love and Justice
5 – Be an example in faith.
- Prayer Life
- Worship Life
- Witnessing Life- Living the gospel
- In the commitment and passion for justice
- In living out the kingdom of God
6 – Be an example in purity.
- Purity in thoughts
- Purity in words
- Purity in actions
- Purity in relationships
- Purity in life
Each of these can be elaborated further, but for a short reflection I would want you to ponder about the tremendous possibilities of the words that we use. A wrongly chosen word can create deep emotional hurt causing sadness, anger or anxiety. It can cause brokenness in relationships and alienation. Few examples of words that we should strive to avoid include.
- Words of ridicule
- Words of curse
- Words of accusation
- Words of cruelty
- Words of shaming
- Words of bullying
- Words of demeaning
- Words of hatred
- Words of manipulation
- Words of untruth
Each time we use words we must acknowledge the power of words to shape lives. It can inspire change and instil new hope in the lives of people
Martin Luther King’s words for instance are still remembered for its passion and the potential change that it foresaw
He said, “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all are created equal.”
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.
He dreamed of a day when everyone would be able to shout together “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
The potential of these words can only gauged when we realise the impact these words continue to create today as it did on the day it was first spoken.
This meditation is a humble reminder that our lives would perhaps be the only gospels or the biblical texts that our neighbours would ever read in their lives. The call is generally to live a life that could set an example for others and particularly to be very cautious on the words we use. It is rightly said- “Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.”
We should also remember that one word is enough to be change makers.
Let us look at our lives as examples for others
Vinod Victor
September 1, 2023
Freiburg Anglican Church 