Have you ever experienced the uneasy feeling that someone was watching you and scrutinizing your every move? Brethren, you are on the spot! You are being watched. At times, you are being followed. God has called us to be living proofs that His way of life is the very optimum way available to man. It is unsurpassed by anything else this world has to offer. We have the extraordinary opportunity of influencing people through the power of our example. Are you measuring up to God’s standard of conduct? Is your life really a good illustration to others? Could someone following you be assured of entering God’s Kingdom? Are you blameless in your behaviour?
In Deuteronomy 4:6-8 we read, “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” Israel was intended to be a model nation! Yet, the sad record of Israel’s history is that she consistently failed to measure up to her purpose. Instead of remaining faithful to God’s laws—Israel’s greatest claim to fame—they repeatedly copied the pagan ideas and customs from the surrounding Gentile nations. These nations didn’t learn righteousness from Israel; because Israel was too busy learning wickedness from them. Instead of overcoming the world, Israel was overcome by it!
God’s Church has been given the very same responsibility today. We must flourish where Israel failed (1 Peter 2:9). People are to see through us the living proof that God’s way is the best way to live. Our lives are the showcases into which people are looking. What a duty! What an honour! Have you ever stopped to fully consider the tremendous implications of this commission? Our words and our actions are going to be the mirrors by which God’s truth is reflected to others. They will judge God’s way of life by our example. The Apostle Paul admonishes: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Eph. 4:1). This is our job—to live so close to God that our lives give no circumstance for reproach to be brought upon God’s Church (Phil. 1:27). We are living examples of the gospel—the good news of what God has planned to ultimately achieve in all mankind. We are to demonstrate the happy, abundant lives, which all peoples are to experience in Tomorrow’s World. We are the advance guard—the forerunners—the pacesetters and pioneers. Yes, people are going to be following us! We must desire God’s Kingdom so that we can give the matchless benefits of God’s way of life to the future children of God—we must be servants—but we must also qualify if we are going to be in God’s ruling family.
“A bishop then must be blameless…” (1 Tim. 3:2). What does this entail? Is it referring to complete sinlessness—flawless character? If so, then Jesus Christ would be the only true minister (Phil. 3:12; Heb. 4:12-13). Blamelessness does not mean flawless. God is well aware of our spiritual flaws and weaknesses. Our sins are not hidden from God. However, when we sincerely repent of our sins, God promises to completely forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Notice 1 John 1:8-9, where it states, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We are no longer guilty before God, because our sins have been pardoned and blotted out. God has even promised to remember them no more. It’s as if these sins had never been committed. Our past becomes sinless or blameless through God’s grace and mercy. Even though we may continue to fall short in keeping God’s laws through weakness, God will not impute these sins to us if we repent of them and strive to overcome (Rom. 4:7-8).
Overall, blamelessness involves our conduct as seen by others. It means being irreproachable or not open to disapproval or condemnation. It refers to a person who has been sufficiently successful in overcoming that all the obvious or glaring character flaws, which would make us liable to criticism from those about us, have been overcome (1 Tim. 4:12). Is your personal conduct blameless and above reproach? Can others safely follow your example? Can Jesus Christ be seen through you? These questions apply to each and every one of us because our example plays a vital role in fulfilling our calling—“…and called us with an holy calling…” (2 Tim. 1:9). We weren’t called merely for doctrinal changes. We were called to change our way of life! God’s truth is something to be learned and lived. Right knowledge is inadequate unless it changes who we are (Eph. 1:4)! Our conduct is to be blameless. This is the very purpose for which we have now been called. God is creating children. And He demands that we “grow up” spiritually into His very nature (1 Peter 1:15-16).
It is imperative to grasp this purpose of our calling. We cannot justify shameful or marginal conduct. We must strive to be innocent in all manner of behaviour. Brethren, ask the hard questions: Are you guilty of careless disregard for your personal example and its impact on others? Are you conscious of your influence on others in every aspect of your life (Phil. 2:14-15)? We are an example to others—whether we like it or not! We cannot escape influencing others—we cannot not communicate! Jesus Christ made this very clear: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14).
We cannot afford to be laid-back concerning our ways. People are going to be watching us. What will they see? You are an example. The foremost question is whether you are a good example or bad example. This is serious business of the utmost responsibility! We must be vigilant. We must be on guard. We must demonstrate self-control. We must learn to control our temper, moderate our drinking and not be greedy. There must be a clear difference between us and them. We are to be bond slaves—totally loyal and obedient to God in all aspects (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
A truly converted Christian doesn’t want his own way. He has buried his selfish desires and ambitions and has completely surrendered to the rule of God. We must pray, “Not my will but yours be done.”
We are preparing so we can be qualified to be servant leaders in God’s kingdom. This takes time and experience. We must go through a period of trial and testing before God will entrust such powers to our charge. Now is the time to be developing our character. Don’t let down—don’t become careless in your conduct. Make sure those who are following you will be able to see Christ living His life in you (Gal. 2:20). Remember—the end result is perfection—“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48)!
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