Examples of the Believer

Examples of the Believer

We are not only sent to preach the word of God but also to practice it as an example to those who hear us. If it isn't good enough for us to practice, it isn't then good enough to preach.

The growth of animals with consciousness, particularly mammals, requires some degree of imitations, we learn with older ones as examples, so also is spiritual growth, we, as teachers and speakers of the word are not sent to be mere speakers but examples of what we speak for emulation by those coming behind us.

Hebrews 13
7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.


The New Living Translation renders it as "Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith."

Apostle Paul said to Timothy as a charge,
1 Timothy 4
12. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Examples show possibilities. Without examples, what we say are mere philosophies, they don't get to our hearers as practicable things. If a teacher has no real life scenario to use in teaching the principles he teaches, the students only see the exercise as mere mental exertion that exists only in the imagination of the teacher.

Apostle Paul said the Corinthians should follow him as he followed Christ. Our lifestyle in faith should show how we are following Christ and it is with that we get qualified to be followed. We are those to be imitated in following Christ.

Every minister of the gospel should constantly ask if God will be pleased by his commitment so far, to be qualified as one to imitate. The question should be, "if people imitate me, will God be pleased with them?"

As examples of believers, there are certain things that should never be heard about us. Not that we don't make our mistakes, but those mistakes should be mistakes and not our default lifestyles.

Our mistakes should be presented as mistakes and not as permissible alternatives to Christ's life. The people following must know that they are mistakes and should learn from us the right way of handling such to please God.

Ephesians 5
3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

The things that should not be named, not even once among us as believers, should therefore not be heard concerning a minister of the gospel as being an example he or she was called to be.

The ministry of being an example is as important as that of speaking the word. People who won't be won by the word can through the lifestyles of those who have been born again be won even without the word 1Peter 3:1.

Just as we seek God's grace to preach the word, we should also seek the Lord for the grace to fulfil the ministry of being examples of believers in all things. To these, we have been called.

Those for whom Christ died should not stumble through our insensitivity. Romans 14
15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

1 Corinthians 8
10. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12. But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Prominent ministers must come to terms with this, so that none will be the reason for the stumbling of any.

May His grace be multiplied to us all in Jesus name.