Thought for Thursday, January 26th

January 26, 2012

A Perfect Example

   Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:13-24

Quote of the Day

“Nothing is so contagious as example, and our every really good or bad action inspires a similar one.”

-          La Rochefoucauld

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

In the church world we look to our leaders with the expectation that they will lead by example.  We tell our older children to set good examples for the younger ones by modeling appropriate behaviors.  Yet as individual Christians what kind of role model are we to a lost and hurting world?

Are we modeling faith, compassion, forgiveness and love?

Or are we modeling impatience, intolerance, exclusiveness and disdain?

It seems the idea of asking ourselves what would Jesus do in any particular situation has become somewhat trivialized by the whole WWJD campaign: but in truth, what better example is there to look to.

Is He not the author and finisher of our faith?  Was He not God in the flesh, the sinless, perfect Lamb of God?

We may have many who have modeled good examples for us in our walk of faith:  but the only perfect example the only truly infallible role model you will ever have is Jesus.

And it should be Him that we wish to emulate and present to the world.

They say that ‘Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.’  Who better to imitate and who more deserving of our flattery than the Lord of Lords and King of Kings?

There is nothing wrong with looking to others as role models and examples: but ultimately if ever we are in doubt may we look to the one who will never let us down and whose example is always beyond reproach and above fault.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you are my wonderful counselor:  you are my example and the glory and lifter of my heart, my head and my hopes; you are all in all and everything that is good and wonderful: so may I be faithful and diligent to always look to your son, when I need an example to follow and a role model to fashion myself after.

“The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.”

-          Thomas Morell

“Let my Lifesong sing to You”

- from ‘Lifesong’ by Casting Crowns