Be An Example

I wrote a little bit the other day about being an ambassador for Christ. And when we talk about being an ambassador for Christ, we USUALLY refer to being that to non-believers so that they may see who Christ is. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be that way to those who already believe... I wanted to write bit more today about being an example - but this time, I want to focus on being an example to believers.

Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, and in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine..."

As Christians, we are well aware of the fact that we need to be a good example to non-believers, but we don't often think about those who are already followers of Christ. In truth, we need to be just as much of a good example to them as we are to non-believers. Paul gives us a whole list of areas here in 1 Timothy where we need to make sure we're being a good example. We need to be a good example in our words, our actions, our love for one another, our spirits, and by keeping ourselves pure.

Finding Comfort In Others

Sometimes our lives can be difficult. We will occasionally feel like we're alone and we have nobody we can talk to here on earth... God wants us to take advantage of the opportunities we have to talk about our problems with others. A lot of times, we think it's better to just keep our problems 'bottled up' inside of us thinking that they'll just pass eventually. - The bible tells us otherwise.

In James 5:16, James says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much."

God knows us very well. And he also knows that times will sometimes be difficult for us. Luckily, we're not alone. And we have so many fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that we can talk to about things. And sometimes, in talking about our problems with others or listening to another brother or sister's struggles, we can be a huge help to that person. Later on in that same chapter, James goes on to say:

"Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

It's very important that we don't just keep things to ourselves. It's always to overcome struggles on our own. Take advantage of the relationships you have with other Christians and Pray for each another.

An Ambassador for Christ

In 2 Corinthians, Paul says in chapter 5:20; "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."

What does it mean to be an "ambassador for Christ?" In short and simple terms - an ambassador is somebody who is appointed to represent something - usually something of great importance. This is us! We're appointed to REPRESENT Christ here on this earth. We sometimes forget that we our ambassadors for Christ. I think it's safe to say that often times our actions aren't showing the characteristics of an ambassador.

As we start this week, let's all realize that we are very important in spreading God's Word to the people here on this earth. That's why He has made us ambassadors - so that we can represent His Son to those around us. This is something of great importance that we must take seriously.