Following A Worthy Example

Following A Worthy Example FOLLOWING A WORTHY EXAMPLE
By W. D. BILLS .

It is a fact, disputed by none, that man is a creature of imitation. The environment will not make the man, hut it will add much in determining his life and destiny. Men have become preachers, teachers, salesmen, mechanics, carpenters, and marly other things, simply because their fathers or those having influence over them, followed these occupations. And, too, I am constrained to believe that most people are what they are religiously, for no other reason than that they have been influenced by the lives of others. They have made no real effort to ascertain the facts of New Testament truth, they are religious because those in whom they believe and trust are religious. The Church of Christ is not entirely free along; this line. We have too many members who do not read for themselves and whose convictions are not as deep as they should be. Herein lies one reason why we are not eager to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints." No doubt we have many members in our fellowship who would have just as quickly and as easily been something else if the other fellow had found them first. They are not what they are because of a firm belief in certain and definite principles—they are members of the Church of Christ because they have been influenced by us.

Looking at the matter, then, from the position of the one lending the influence or setting the example, it becomes a matter of great importance that we exercise the greatest care. The conversations in which you engage today and the things you say, will he repeated by some other tomorrow; your influence today will be given another tomorrow; and the doctrines you are preaching now will be embraced by those who trust and believe in you, and of them they will he faithful exponents tomorrow. The Bible abounds in examples confirming this truth. When the children of Israel had been delivered from the yoke of bondage, they were given the feast of the Passover, and this was to he observed by all succeeding generations. Concerning it Moses said: "And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you. What mean ye by this service? that ye shall say. It is the sacrifice of Jehovah's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians and delivered our houses." (Exodus 12:26-27.) The subsequent history of this people shows the influence of their predecessors. Their sacrifices and services were as much a matter of parental and national influence as it was conviction in following the commandments of God.

We are told by Paul that Timothy was a man of unfeigned faith and that this faith dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Timothy was largely What Paul found him to be. on account of the remarkable influence of his mother and grandmother. To be sure this faith first dwelt in his grandmother, and then in his mother. Beyond doubt, this shows the remarkable power of example. Had Timothy's mother and grandmother been different, doubtless Paul would have found a different character in Timothy and possibly Timothy would never have become a minister of the Word. So it follows that the example of a plain, old grandmother may be indirectly responsible for the conversion of thousands of souls.

We also find this principle in our work of gaining souls for Christ. Peter says: "I n like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear." (1 Peter 3:2.) The preacher in his discourse could not reach these husbands, yet they were won for Christ through the example and influence of their wives. Through their devotion and service, these men are made to see the gospel in its power to save. It is almost impossible to estimate the power of example.

Following a Worthy Example From the time that sin was just introduced into the world, we have had two great influences, truth and error, right and wrong, each furnishing us examples for emulation. We are going to imitate and follow some one, this is natural—just as natural as life itself, and our temporal and eternal interests demand that we choose with wisdom and discretion. The example is presented you; you make your choice and form your habits, your character is established; and von then become a part of the great mill which is eternally grinding out material for the judgment of God. The important thing, then, with every individual, is to make his choice, and choose wisely and well. It is right to imitate others, provided, of course, they are the right kind of people. The act of imitating is of two kinds. It may he involuntary and unconscious, or it may he tindirect work of the will. Many things we unconsciously imitate, and many we imitate because we educate ourselves to do so. Choosing examples in the service of God should he done with wisdom and deliberation. The greater the example we choose, the stronger our character will become. When we imitate the evil, we usually go beyond the example; but when we imitate the good, we usually fall short. We see the importance, then, of choosing the very best example. Paul said: "Brethren, he ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an example." (Php_3:17.) Again: "Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1.) We are told that Christ "suffered for us, leaving us an exam ple that we should walk in His steps." (2 Peter 2:21.) I ".very man entering the service of Christ is to deny himself and take up his cross and follow Christ. Christ is our ideal, He is the one perfect example. Even those who have questioned His divinity, have admitted the power of His example. They confidently affirm that His doctrine is not true, they do not believe in His teachings, yet they can not explain the power of His wonderful influence over men. His influence was as marvelous as His life simple. They could forget what He said, hut they could not forget Him. One of the turning points in the life of Peter, even when he had denied, was caused by a look from the Master. When the disciples were brought before the rulers and charged to cease teaching the doctrines of Christ, the thing most prominent in the minds of all, it seemed, was that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13.) Jesus, then, is the object of our admiration; His, the example for us to follow.

I remember reading somewhere a story of the "Little Corporal." It was characteristic with him that he never commanded his men to go where he was not willing to lead them. Oh one occasion he ordered his soldiers to cross a river, but seeing his army hesitate he spurred for ward his horse and cried: "Soldiers, follow your general!" He was the first to plunge into the river, his men followed. Concerning Christ, John said: "When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." (John 10:3.) Jesus is our leader, our Shepherd, and does not demand sacrifice and service of us which He has not himself rendered. When we suffer for Him, we have only to remember that He first suffered for us; if the world hate us. we need only call to mind that it hated Him first; and when we are called upon to make sacrifices to save a lost world, we remember that He paid the price by making the one supreme sacrifice. All we need do is follow Him, and we have His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. As my Shepherd, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul. He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalms 23:2-4.) Surely we can understand why Paul gave Christ to us as our ideal—our one great example. But in searching for an example to imitate, we are not left wholly to the record of the life of the Son of God. We are allowed and admonished to follow others who have been successful in imitating and following Christ. Paul said: "Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ." We are admonished to follow Paul only so long as he follows Christ. Of all the disciples of Christ, no doubt but that Paul was the greatest. He began his Christian service by saying, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do," and closed that wonderful career of service and sadness by saying, "I have finished my course." In this great course he was imitating Christ, and this course was splendidly and faithfully finished. His noble example is given us for imitation. It should he easier for us to serve God since we have the example of such a noble character who has gone on before.

Following Paul

I wish to call your attention to some of the outstanding elements in the character and service 'of the apostle Paul. These are some of the things in which we should imitate him.

(1) His Sincerity in Becoming a Christian.

Paul's entire life was an expression of honesty and sincerity. To Felix he said: "I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men always." (Acts 24:15.) And to the council he said: "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." (Acts 23:1.) Not only was he honest, but he was earnest and zealous, lie was determined the law of Moses should stand and that the cause of Christ should not succeed. Directed by this zeal, he went to the chief priests' and received letters of authority warranting the arrest and conviction of all Christians. He even persecuted them unto strange cities, and while on his way to Damascus, a bright light shone round about him and a voice said: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" He saw Jesus in the new light, and in the sincerity of his heart forsook his former intentions and became a devoted disciple of Christ. When Paul once realized his mistake, and that in persecuting Christ he was fighting against God, he was ready for any instructions Christ might give. Led by the hand into the city, he was introduced to a disciple who told him to "arise, and he baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name." (Acts 28:16.) He did not stop to quibble about the ini]X)rtance of baptism. Not once did he say he could not see any sense in it. Not once did he mention his old father back at home who had never been baptized. Not once did be say: "If baptism is essential, then what is to become of those who have never been baptized?" These, and many other questions propounded nowadays, never once entered into the mind of this apostle, for he was desperately in earnest. He wanted to know the Way of Life, and was willing to perform am act of obedience imposed upon him.

It takes a big man to make such a change and admit that he was wrong. There seems to be a spark of insincerity in most of us, and it suggests a wrong course rather than a confession of wrong, we want our way about things. I am reminded of the woman who took her baby to the doctor. While the doctor was searching for medicine in his case she discovered some pink pills and suggested they be given the baby, since they "matched the baby's cap." I remember talking with a lady once who differed from me about religious matters, and when I showed her scriptures which contradicted her doctrine, can you imagine her answer? She said: "I can't think of any scriptures just now which contradict the ones you give." She thought she was sincere, yet refused plain statements of the Lord. When moved by the motive of gain, glory, applause, or any other earthly consideration, we are not following the example of this worthy Christian.

(2) He Began Work Immediately, Not only was Paul honest and sincere in his conversion, but he was just as sincere in his service. He began immediately. The record informs us that "straightway in the synagogue he proclaimed Jesus that he is the Son of Cod." (Acts 9:20.) He did not have oxen to prove or farms to visit, nor had he married a wife which hindered his service—he began immediately. For three years in Damascus and Arabia he preached Christ, before he returned to Jerusalem. Is this not a trait of Christian character worthy of imitation? Too many people spend their time promising themselves they are going to do something. No doubt Paul could have found excuses for returning home or for going to Jerusalem, but he did not seek them —he became a Christian that he might serve God and this work was imperative, it demanded immediate attention.

One of the fundamental laws in the physical world is that man must have exercise to live. Without proper exercise an atrophied condition is certain to result. Not only is this true in our physical members, hut it is likewise true in spiritual life. We often see members of the body of Christ who are dead, simply because they have not taken any spiritual exercise. Paul did not stand and wait for some one to tell him what to do. every time he found a man who had not obeyed the gospel he endeavored to teach that man the truth. We should not wait for opportunities, we should make them; and we should not wait until we have been members of the church for a whole decade before we begin—begin immediately. This is the example Paul left us and it is worthy of our emulation. If you have never done anything for Christ and are still waiting for someone to suggest the undertaking, do not wait longer, get out and do it on your own initiative.

Paul speaks of unbelief as the "besetting sin," but if I were allowed to use the term in the plural and speak of "besetting sins," I would say that one of the besetting sins of many church members is the habit of being late at all the services. If you have the service early, they are late; if you have it late, they are late—it doesn't matter what time you have it they are late. They seem to be in a great hurry after they get started, but never in a rush to start. We are reminded of the little boy who ran to catch the train but arrived at the station just as the train was pulling out. While gasping for breath, he was chided by a bystander who said: "Little man, you did not run fast enough." To which the little boy answered: "Yes. I did, I ran as fast as I could; I just didn't start soon enough." So it is with many church members, they make pretty good time after they start, hut they are so slow in starting. They seem to have failed to learn the lesson that the King's business demands haste. If merchants were as careless about their business as most Christians are their church duties, there is not one in Texas who would survive the present year. Some church members should adopt the plan of the young man who was to be married to a young lady in a neighboring city. When the day came for the ceremony he did not appear. The bride was on the verge of nervous prostration, when this telegram was received: "Dear Helen: Missed the early train. Will arrive on the 4:30. Don't marry until I come.—George." In studying the life of the apostle we learn that he began work immediately after his conversion, and from that time to the day of his death, he was "instant in season, out of season," and that he was "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Such elements of Christian character will not fail to produce strong workers in the vineyard of the Lord.

(3) He was unselfish in His work.

Another of the outstanding elements in the wonderful character of the apostle Paul, was that he was unselfish in his work. I presume it is a difficult matter for a person to be absolutely unselfish. I know it is with me, yet this is necessary before we can approach our example. The life of Christ was a living demonstration of unselfishness, and Paul became as nearly perfect along this line as is possible for mankind. In this we should strive to follow him. He said: "Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:33.) In planning his program of service, Paul always left himself and his personal interests in the background. With him it was always more blessed to give than to receive. But with many of us it is often different. Some of us are unwilling to pay for a sermon unless we can hear it. We are rather like the little boy with a cold who was sitting next to a woman on a crowded street car, and kept sniffing in a most annoying manner. She thought to reproach him by asking: "Boy, have you a handkerchief?" In a very dignified tone the lad answered: "Yes, ma'am, but I don't loan it to strangers." Too often we leave the other fellow out of our plans. We forget that we are to please all men in every righteous way, and not to seek our own profit but the profit of others. In this labor of sacrifice and love we gain them for Christ.

Occasionally we hear some brother, when referring to his contribution, say that he has given the "widow's mite." He will throw a penny into the collection basket and say: ''There goes the widow's mite." In reality he has done much better than that poor widow, for she only gave a halfpenny, and he has given a whole penny. But he seems not to remember that she gave all she had. He's holding out on the poor widow, that's all. He reminds us of Harry who insisted upon having the largest piece of pie, and when his mother reprovingly said: "Isn't your big brother entitled to it?" Harry answered: "No. mamma, not the way it looks to me. he was eating pie three years before I was born." Unselfishness is a splendid characteristic in any Christian, and it is always found in every man who follows Paul as he followed Christ.

(4) His was a life of sacrifice. The word "sacrifice" is found many times in the Bible, vet I am persuaded the average Christian of today knows little of its real meaning. We often think we are sacrificing for the Christ, when in reality we are only reaching that point—we quit just when we are ready to make the sacrifice. Paul informs us that he suffered the "loss of all miners, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ Jesus." (Php_3:8.) Again he says: "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls." (2 Corinthians 12:15.) Paul gave up friends, home and the joys of home, prospects for an excellent future in the educational world —everything, that he might become the proud possessor of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet we hear people talk about making sacrifices for Christ who have never really given up anything worth while. Too many members are like the little boy who told his father he was going to give up salt mackerel that he might have' money to put in the missionary box. "But what has induced my boy to choose salt mackerel as the thing to give up?" asked the father. "Why," answered the lad, "because mackerel don't come very often and I don't like them very much, anyhow." If you only give to the service of the Lord the things you do not need and do not want,' there is no sacrifice. The man who gives until it hurts and then gives until it doesn't hurt, is the one who is really making a sacrifice. I fear many of us have only a meagre conception of the meaning of sacrifice. We usually get for ourselves just about what we want, and all the things we want, and then if there is anything left we give it to the Lord. The church has a host of members throughout the country who are in splendid circumstances financially, live in good homes and drive fine cars: yet they will go to the place of worship on Sunday and drop a dime or a quarter in the collection basket, and sing, "O How I Love Jesus." To illustrate the spirit of real sacrifice. I recall the story of a bright-eyed, barefooted boy who was selling papers on a crowded car. The car started while he was making change, and as the conductor passed him. he said: "Caught this time, Joe. you'll have to run to Fourteenth street." "Don't care." laughed Joe, "can sell all the way back again." A white-haired old gentleman questioned him concerning his way of living and his earnings and found there was a younger brother to he supported. "Jimmy" was lame, and "couldn't earn much himself." "Ah. I see. That makes it hard; you could do better alone." The shabby little figure stood erect and indignantly replied: "No I couldn't; Jim's somebody to go home to; He's lots of help. What would be the good of havin' luck, if nobody was glad? or of gettin' things, if there was nobody to divide with?" And as the conductor called "Fourteenth street" and the newsboy plunged into the gathering darkness, the old gentleman remarked to nobody in particular: "I've heard many a poorer sermon than that!" This is the true spirit of real sacrifice, and corresponds perfectly with the teachings of Him who said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

(5) He Was Faithful Under Difficulties.

Paul was a faithful man. His religious temperature did not vary with the changing seasons. Throughout his eventful lite he sought to answer in service his first question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Most any one can be faithful when everything is pleasant, but the man whose service really counts is the one who can and will serve God under difficulties. The man who is faithful while on the table-lands of happiness and will hesitate and stumble when in the valley of sorrow and disappointment, has yet the lesson of faithfulness to learn. When we learn to labor on and smile through our tears, knowing that beyond all the sorrow of life the sun is shining some where, we are entering into that pith which leads unerringly to the perfect day. Paul seemed to find joy in persecution, in his weakness he found strength, his anxiety was intensified by the things he had to suffer. Concerning his sufferings he said:

"Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea. in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches." (2 Corinthians 11:24-28.) Had Paul not been strong in the faith he could not possibly have withstood such horrible persecutions. In them his faith became a real conviction and his hope an anchor to the soul. In the absence of persecution, "hope, as an anchor to the soul," may be somewhat Utopian, but with Paul it was an actual reality. In his heart he longed to depart and be with Christ, vet for the good he might do he was willing to remain. He saw himself only as an instrument of righteousness, and alike in sunshine or rain, he pursued his course with an undaunted determination He proved himself a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, and died with his armor on and his face to the enemy. Paul was not ashamed to suffer, for he knew Him whom he had believed and was persuaded that He was able to guard that which he had committed unto Him against that day.

Unlike many of the modern teachers of our day, the apostle Paul never saw the need of apologizing for the Word of Cod. He was faithful both in work and word. He depended entirely upon the Lord for his doctrine, and having received it he proved himself worthy of the trust. "The gospel which was preached by me," said he, "is not after man. but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ." In the assurance of this knowledge, he could fearlessly say: "If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you let him be anathema." (Galatians 1:9.)

We are informed that Paul died for the cause he loved. Being a Roman citizen lie did not have to suffer the ignominious death of lingering torture like many of his brethren, hut was to die by decapitation. He was led to his execution beyond the walls of Rome, no doubt rejoicing that he was permitted to follow Christ "without the gates." We can only guess at the thoughts uppermost in his mind as the procession moved on. .Most likely many of his experiences passed through his mind. He thought of his conversion, of his long years of service, and the many things he had given up for Christ. He recalled the joy of that service and the sweet communion with his Lord, and the hunger and suffering incident to his well-directed life. But it is all over now, his fondest wish is now to be realized—he is to depart and he with Christ. Amidst his own sufferings, his thoughts naturally turned to the One who has so lovingly suffered for him. He had finished his course, had fought the fight, and had kept the faith. He had followed a worthy example.