“Let
no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example
in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” – 1 Timothy
4:12 (ESV). “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good
works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech
that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame,
having nothing evil to say about us.” –Titus 2:7-9 (ESV).
How
important is it to be an “example” in the faith? Moreover, how
important is it to have a good “example” to follow? Paul the
Apostle wrote to his “son in the gospel,” young Timothy, that he
was to be an example to others. He gave Timothy five areas of his
life in which he should be exemplary: speech, conduct, love, faith,
purity. In a few words Paul covered a broad expanse of life goals:
how he talked, how he acted and lived, how deep his love was for God
and for others, how committed he was in his faith, and with what
purity not only was his life but his teachings.
To
Titus he wrote that he should be “a
model of good works,” another
way of saying “be an example in the faith.” Titus was to be a
model in teaching, holding to integrity (uprightness), dignity
(honor), and sound speech (good doctrine). Paul knew that such
sterling examples as he was urging Timothy and Titus to be would not
keep them immune from criticism, but they would be blameless when
people wanted to condemn them.
Paul
also wrote that he himself lived as an example: “Brothers,
join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according
to the example you have in us” (Philippians
3:17, ESV). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-13 (ESV): You
yourselves are our letter of recommendation written on our hearts to
be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from
Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of
the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human
hearts.”
A
Christian writer and teacher, Annie Johnson Flint, was born December
24, 1866 in the little town of Vineland, New Jersey to Eldon and Jean
Johnson. Her mother died when Annie was only three following the
birth of Annie’s baby sister. At first her father hired a widow of
a Civil War Veteran to look after his two little girls. But the lady
was not very gentle with them. Later he found a home for the girls
with a Mr. and Mrs. Flint. Then the girls’ father got an incurable
disease and soon died. The orphan girls were adopted by the Flints
who were nurturing and loving to the girls. Annie did well in high
school, thanks to a neighbor whom she called “Aunt Susie,” (no
relationship, just a friend to the Flints). Annie went to Normal
School, taking a teaching course. Upon finishing, she got a job
teaching school, with a three-year contract. During that time she
developed painful and crippling arthritis and had to give up
teaching. Even though she had pain as she began to polish her
writing skills, she still found great joy in writing. She was
especially proficient in writing poetry. She got a job with “The
Sunday School Times,” and her writings in that magazine linked her
up with a worldwide fellowship of Christians. Many of her poems were
published and read widely. She wielded a great influence with her
pen. She shared much of her deep love for and faith in Christ before
her death September 8, 1932. She wrote a very widely-read poem about
being a Christian example. As you read her poem, think about how you
can be an example so the world can learn about Christ from you.
Annie Johnson Flint writes in poetic form on the same advice Paul
gave about being a Christian example before others.
The
World’s Bible
by
Annie Johnson Flint
Christ
has no hands but our hands
To
do His work today;
He
has no feet but our feet
To
lead men in His way;
He
has no tongue but our tongue
To
tell men how He died;
He
has no help but our help
To
bring them to His side.
We
are the only Bible
The
careless world will read;
We
are the sinner’s gospel,
We
are the scoffer’s creed;
We
are the Lord’s last message
Given
in deed and word;
What
if the type is crooked?
What
if the print is blurred?
What
if our hands are busy
With
other work than His?
What
if our feet are walking
Where
sin’s allurement is?
What
if our tongues are speaking
Of
things His lips would spurn?
How
can we hope to help Him
Unless
from Him we learn?
Prayer:
Lord, I want to be an example of your love. Strengthen my weak
places and help me to realize that I have a responsibility to live
out Christian principles.
-Ethelene
Dyer Jones 08.09.2015
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