Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva
July 2010

How many times have we heard parents tell their children to do what they say, but not what they do?  How many times have we seen leaders point to the right direction, yet go the other way?  How many times have we purposed in our lives to do the right thing, only to submit to the wrong yearning of our hearts?

We are undoubtedly living in a confused and confusing world and our world is surely in dire need of people whose works do not contradict their words.

In the Apostle Paul’s instructions to his servant, Timothy, he charged the latter: “Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity” (1 Timothy 4:12b). And the power of those ancient words still rings true today.  

By word.  How do we become examples in word? By speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). By keeping our tongue from evil and our lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13). By purposefully watching over the words that we say, knowing that “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).

We do not dismiss the fact that it is not always easy to choose to bless those who spread lies about us rather than throw back cursing words at them.  But if we are called to do just that, in order to set a Christ-like example in words, then obedience is the only way we must take.

1 Peter 3:9-11 tells us, “Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

By demeanor.  We are mistaken if we think that we simply operate on our own and that our actions don’t have effect on others.  No man is an island, so the saying goes.  Therefore, the way by which we conduct ourselves and live out our lives determines whether the imprint we leave for others is worth following after or not.  

3 John 11 is explicit: “Friend, don't go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God's work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn't know the first thing about God.”

Model the good. This is how we should become an example, in deed, unto many.

By love. In one of His public appearances during His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus was asked by the teachers of the law on what was the greatest commandment given to men.

“Jesus answered, ‘The most important one says: `People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.' The second most important commandment says: `Love others as much as you love yourself.' No other commandment is more important than these’” (Mark 12:29-31).

It cannot be clearer than this: In God’s book, there is no rule or reason on earth that is more compelling than love of God and men.  And this same love must motivate and govern all our actions.  

By doing everything in love, we show by our example how it is to fulfill the greatest of God’s commands.

By faith. How do we become an example unto many by faith? The Book of Hebrews, in chapter 11, lists down the names of great men and women of God whose “claim to fame” was their unwavering faith in the Almighty.

“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd” (vv1-2).

“....Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world” (vv. 32-38).

We become an example unto many when they see us still faithfully standing in the promises of God, even in the face of lions, fires, swords and the seeming impossibilities of life.  

By integrity. How do we model integrity in a perverse and indulgent society?  How do we hold on to our integrity when the “prevailing system” lures us to tell “white lies,” cheat on that test, take credit for somebody else’s work, or step on others’ toes if it will serve our purpose or bring us ahead of the pack?  

We model integrity by doing what is right regardless of the consequences of our choices and actions and standing for what is true even if it is unpopular. This is exactly what Job did.  

When Satan buffeted Job, took away all his earthly possessions and infirmed him with skin tumors, Job held onto his innocence.  His own wife taunted him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9).

“But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

Job’s strength of character amidst life’s hardest tragedies continues to provide strength, encouragement, and inspiration to those who choose to follow his example.  Job proved to us that the way of integrity may be difficult, but it can be tackled; it can be walked upon.  

With our good example, we can teach the world that God is able to change lives and that by our changed lives, God is able to change the waiting world.  ###