An Example Worth Following?

[This is the third post in a series about how Christian leaders are commanded to be teachers as well. In the first post, we looked at the actual command to be teachers. In the next post, we discussed what it means to be a skilled worker, correctly handling God’s Word. Today, we will look at being a godly example.]

Too Much Hypocrisy!

One of the worst complaints you will usually get from a non-believer is about the hypocrisy of Christians. The truth is that they are right! When you consider facts like the divorce rate being similar for Christians and non-Christians alike, it is no wonder we have a hard time convincing them we are different.

The divorce rate is only one example. There are many others. I do not need to go into this because you already know what I am talking about. The point is that as Christian business leaders, we simply must start living as godly examples, distinctly disciples of Jesus. Our walk must match our talk.

Godly Example

As we continue this series about being teachers and accepting the command given us in the Great Commission, we are now going to turn to what it means to be a godly example. Why is this important and what does it have to do with teaching?

Let’s look at how Paul instructs Timothy about this:

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace,along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.
2 Timothy 2:20-23

Set Apart?

These verses follow our verse from my last post where Paul told Timothy that he is to be a skilled worker when it comes to correctly handling the Word of truth. Now, Paul is telling Timothy that he is to set himself apart in order to be useful to God. Not only is he to correctly teach the Word, he is also to purify himself from anything dishonorable.

This is exactly what most Christians have NOT been doing. Instead of setting ourselves apart and getting rid of the dishonorable, too often we are right there in the middle of the mess. We are hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm with those non-believers. We act and behave differently on Sundays, but you can’t pick us out of a crowd of people the rest of the week.

We Must Change!

This is wrong and must change!

First, it must change because it destroys our intimate relationship with God. We cannot expect clear and consistent communication with Him while at the same time we are ignoring His guidelines for us.

But this kind of behavior also eliminates any credibility we have for teaching others about His Word. No one is going to listen to us teach about patience when we blow up at the slightest mistake from an employee or coworker.

We will not be able to instruct others to love mercy when we fail to forgive those who have crossed us. Our teaching effectiveness will be next to zero when it is clear to others that we do not practice our own material!

Student’s Perspective

Think about it from the student’s perspective. How convincing is a teacher that obviously does not follow his own instruction. I still remember being told (in fun) as a kid, “Do as I say, not as I do.” While I still obeyed, I knew there was just something wrong with that logic!

Paul is wisely telling Timothy (and us at the same time) that in order for a teacher to be effective, he or she must also live by example. We all must heed this instruction if we truly desire to live out the Great Commission.

Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27

Have you had a teacher that ignored this instruction?

What was your response to their poor example?

Where do you need to improve your living by example?

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