“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

I read this verse weeks ago and it has been in my thoughts ever since.  The concept of being an example is something we see all through the Bible.  We see good examples and bad ones.  In fact, I’ve told my Sunday School class before that there are a few stories that are so bad I’d have left them out of Scripture! But the Lord knows that we need the good and the bad if we’re to grasp His standard of how to live and how not to live.

This verse was written by Paul to the young pastor Timothy.  At first you may think, why would Paul tell him not to let anyone look down on him – he can’t control that.  But this is what Paul meant by his statement:  “Timothy must not be intimidated by his relative youthfulness or what others might think of it. Instead he was to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).

Now before you think you’re off the hook because you’re not “youthful”, let’s think in a broader sense.  Let no one despise you because of your:  past, poor health, lack of education, weight, inexperience, race, creativity.  We often find “reasons” we can’t be of service to the Lord. We sometimes let our perceived limitations dictate our spiritual walk, forgetting that the Lord loves to work through the weak, the broken, the unqualified.

Paul told Timothy, and us, that as mature Christians, we are to live a godly life that will be an example to those around us.   Here’s the thing – WE, as believers, are to be the example that others can follow.  That’s kind of a scary thought, isn’t it?  But it should be a sobering thought for us, one that motivates us to rely on the Lord.  We are God’s children, His representatives on this earth and we need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to live in a way that points others to Jesus.

For the next few weeks, we’re going to look at each area of life that Paul listed in his advice to Timothy:  speech, life, love, faith and purity.  By looking at each one of these facets of life, we’ll get a better understanding of what it means to be a godly example.  And once we know, we can do what the Lord has called us to do – bring Him glory with our lives.