A Good Example

Math teachers know the importance of examples. Without examples many students are unable to understand mathematical concepts.

A basketball coach calls his team together and asks for the ball. “Look how I position my hands on the ball. Look at my feet; see my stance? Watch as I follow through with the shot.” He is an example.

Blueprints for buildings, maps, patterns for clothing, pictures, sketches: We look at them, study them, follow them. There are many different kinds of examples that guide us in life.

Good examples insure success. Jesus was the supreme example of life. By following His example we are able to please God and live better lives.

The Apostle Paul referred to the Old Testament as an example for our learning. For example: We can study the characters whose lives are recorded in the Bible and learn from their faith, their righteousness, their humility, their goodness, but also from their mistakes.

Peter encouraged the elders of the early church to be examples; visible representations of right living. Paul, was an example to the preacher Timothy.

Not only do we find examples in Scripture, many good examples are right here, at home.

Who in your life stands as an example...

• of service?
• of courage?
• of mercy?
• of humility?
• of love?
• of prayer?
• of wisdom?
• of patience?
• of joy?
• of holiness?

Who in your life stands as an example of marriage? 

We commonly mark significant milestones in marriage, such as a 50th wedding anniversary. We might enjoy a celebration with cake and punch, fun photos featuring fond memories, and other festivities. Such celebrations are good. I wish there were more.

The celebrations, however, are just that, celebrations. They last a few hours. The celebration is not the marriage; it applauds the marriage.

Think about it: Fifty years.

Fifty years of marriage is a long and wonderful time.

I have attended a few 50th celebrations and I have enjoyed the memories of family members. Their stories might make you think that those fifty years were easy. Yet anyone acquainted with life understands that every marriage is made up of good times and difficult times; joys and trials.

Relationships are difficult: different individual needs; different wants. It takes dedication to the Lord, commitment to each other, and self-sacrifice in order to make a marriage last fifty years.

Some in our church family have reached a milestone of 50 or 60 years of marriage. What an accomplishment! Some of our widows and widowers enjoyed long marriages that would have made it to ‘50’ were it not for the death of their spouse. All of these Christians are worthy examples of marriage for all who are younger.

Paul has reminded us that the marriage relationship of a husband and wife is like the relationship of Christ to his bride, the church (Ephesians 5). So, when we look at the marriage examples of the Christians couples in our congregation, they are teaching us two things:

• The meaning of honor and devotion to the Lord as well as to their marriage vows; and
• The relationship of Christ and his church.

We are being shown steadfast love, commitment, and sacrifice. We should hold these individuals up as present-day visible examples. We should follow them as they are following Christ.

We must each commit to being a good example for others to see and follow.

Mark Stinnett