A PERFECT EXAMPLE
26th Aug 2015
We were visiting Tyntesfield, a National Trust property nearby, and saw their amazing blue and white agapanthus (see pic) which are some of Joyce’s favourite flowers. We found this inspiring and challenging and now we are on a search to discover whether we can acquire such excellent plants and then raise them successfully. We had found the perfect example - can we possibly produce something similar?
In Titus chapter 2, Paul is telling Titus to instruct the church in how to live as God intends. “Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love and endurance.” Older women are told not to be gossips nor drunks, younger women to love their husbands and keep a good house, and young men to live discipled lives! Quite an assignment, how is Titus going to achieve this? Paul says, “Show them all this by doing it yourself.” (From The Message)
The only way the world around us is going to see Jesus, is as we model Him in all His love, power, purity, forgiveness and generosity. Paul told the Corinthians believers, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Peter encouraged the leaders in the Church, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care....not lording it over those entrusted to you, but by being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3) Timothy was encouraged to set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
When we find a perfect example like the wonderful agapanthus it stirs something in us. “So that is what they should really be like - they’re fantastic.” When we look at the life of Jesus we see the perfect example of how God intends us to be, and it should stir something inside us. Not a whole lot of self effort, but seeking to be so filled with Him and the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit that we become examples that can be imitated!
by Charles Sibthorpe
