See the Example, Be the Example
The best way to learn is to imitate someone. In many professions, this is called on-the-job training. You watch someone perform a task then you perform it under their
supervision until you are proficient in the task. This is also true in our Christian walk. This type of training is called discipleship. Discipleship has an aspect of formal training, which is what we often think of when we hear the word. We see this in many settings like worship, small groups, discipleship groups, Bible studies, devotions, etc. This type of discipleship is very important; however, it is not the only form.
Discipleship has on-the-job training. This means we see the example of a more mature Christian and learn from them. This principle is readily apparent in 1 Thessalonians 1. In verses 2-3, Paul makes it clear that the Christians in Thessalonica get it. They are par excellence when it comes to faith. This is only the case because they took seriously the gospel call in their lives. In verse 4 Paul remembers the time he shared the gospel with them, and God showed His power in their lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. Then in verse 5, Paul reminds them of his character.
Paul along with his companions sought to live holy and righteous lives so that they could be an example to the church. Paul says in verse 5 that they did this for the sake of the
Thessalonians. This doesn’t mean that Paul did not seek to live a holy life at other times, but that he was hypervigilant to be a godly example for their benefit. This led the Christians to a deeper and more mature faith and before long the church at Thessalonica became an example to all the believers in the entire region (verse 7).
The example they set was one of faith, they trusted in the Lord above everything else. In verses 9-10, Paul points out how the Christians in Thessalonica turned away from idols and worshipped the Lord alone. They also watched expectantly for the Lord's return. They had a heavenly mindset as they patiently lived out their lives on earth. This is a sure sign of maturity. This would have been a powerful example to other believers.
There are two things I think we can learn from this passage. One, we must find and imitate godly examples. Paul was a great example of faith for them to look at, but Paul was not perfect. He was the first to tell you that he was a sinner saved only by the grace of God; however, there was something that Paul did very well, he made it clear that his focus was on Jesus. Even when you looked at the example of Paul you were pointed to Jesus. Paul did not seek to exalt himself, rather he sought to exalt Jesus in everything he did. This is important when we look for a godly example. We cannot just find someone who calls themselves a Christian and hitch our proverbial wagon to them. Often when we find a teacher who makes themselves the star, they fail either morally or theologically. If you affix your faith to that person then when they fail, you are left shattered and broken. We must always remember that people are imperfect. We should never exalt a person, rather we look for examples that seek to keep Jesus as the center.
Second, as we mature in our faith, we must become an example of godliness. We should not shy away from being an example rather we should encourage it, provided we are looking to Jesus for our example. My prayer is that my life and the lives of those in the church will encourage all the believers in our community. We want to live a life that brings glory to God and helps others to glorify Him as well. Let’s remember the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 11:1,
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Let us be the example of Christ that we want to see in others!
