God, the Storyteller

“God made us because He love stories” a traditional Hasidic (Jewish) proverb. In God’s word (the bible) there are numerous stories – stories of heroes and villains, good examples for us to follow and bad examples to avoid. Good examples like Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) was a disciple who lived in Joppa, referenced in the Book of Acts 9:36–42, The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-8:1), Gaius (3 John 1: 1-4) and Demetrius (3 John 1:12), etc. Bad examples like Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1 – 11), Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), etc. 

It is a given that many people around us do not always provide the right examples for us to follow. Some are downright hypocritical. Others do not even seem to care what God's Word has to say at all. Others may truly desire to follow Christ but find themselves more interested in what some individual has to say or what some program has to offer rather than what God's Word teaches. Yet despite the mixed signals and poor examples often set by those around us God wants us to honour Him, obey Him and lead by example. The Word of God is not silent concerning the conduct of people and their role in the church and in society.

We need to be an example to others in our speech. To be an example "in word" involves our choice of words, the content of our words and the delivery of our words. Our vocabulary must be free from the swearing, cursing and filth that permeates the hearts and minds of the unsaved. Scripture tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34). Therefore, when our tongues spew forth cursing or filthy, unseemly words, we know that a spiritual problem exists within our hearts that goes deeper than that which simply comes out of our mouths.

We also need to be an example to others in our conduct. To be an example of the believers "in conversation" involves our conduct (behaviour) and our lifestyle. How do we act around other people within our church or society, whether young or old, saved or unsaved? Do we try to be as difficult, as cool, as rebellious, as wild or as nonconformist as we can possibly be? Or do we conduct ourselves in a manner that sets us apart from the world and causes others to see something different in us? When others observe our behaviour, can they conclude that we are people of integrity, discernment and knowledge? If not, then we must change!

We also need to be an example to others by showing love and concern for the well-being of other believers and unbelievers. The word "charity," or "love," in this verse does not speak of affection or friendship, but rather of an unselfish, sacrificial love for another. This agape love (agape is the Greek word from which our English word "charity" [or "love"] is translated in this text) means that we love our fellow Christians to the extent that we sacrifice our own time, comfort or popularity in order to build them up in the faith.

Are we measuring up to what God wants us to be? Are we just following the crowd, or do we stand out as those who desire to be faithful and holy despite the hypocrisy and compromise all around us on the part of both adults and young people? When we fail the Lord in various areas of our lives (and we all will certainly fail Him at times), get back on track through prayer and Bible study and keep purposing to please Him in everything you do. Keep striving to be an example "of the believers." Difficult times will come--loneliness, anxiety, peer pressure and discouragement will look us straight into the eyes at times. But God is always faithful to us.