Topic: Leading by example
Bible Reading: Songs of Solomon 3-4; 1 Corinthians 11:1-15.
Memory Verse: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
A child got home after Sunday service and said to others that he met Jesus that day. Apparently surprised, they asked him how he knew the person was Jesus. Then he explained that the lace of his shoes were loose and when the man saw him, he stooped low and tied the laces so nicely for him.
You may not think that is a good reason for the child to have thought the man was Jesus. However, the basic truth is he knew Jesus to be selfless and anyone who does that to him is like Jesus. One key factor from the child’s statement is that your conduct tells more about who you are than your words. So it’s important that you review your conduct among your family members, neighbours, in church, office or even in social gatherings amongst others, that people see Christ in you every time.
But how do you ensure this? You need to know more about Christ by studying and meditating on the holy Bible, then you need to intentionally ensure you obey what you have learnt from the scriptures in your conduct. It is not easy to do this by yourself but God has sent you the Holy Spirit who lives in you for your guidance. So your thoughts, desires, actions should imitate Christ such that those who see and follow you will be imitators of Christ just like Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV), “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
It is important to also recognise that quite a number of people just pick some aspects of our actions to follow and you may not know them but they admire you from a distance. Thus, every of your action is a form of evangelism and a response to the call by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 4:19 (KJV), “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Remember this applies in all situations whether you are happy or sad, playing or working hard, feasting or fasting, moving or standing, you must imitate Christ. But you cannot give what you do not have!.
Thus, if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you cannot know Him well and so how can you imitate Him? In that case, you need to call on God to forgive you all sins committed and make a promise not to go back to such sins but to follow the Lord in accordance with what we have explained in this meditation today.
Prayer point: Father, please help me to live in the power of your Spirit today in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero