1 Peter 5:3 KJV
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 2:21 KJV
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow hissteps:
I’m sure we all remember as kids, asking the puzzling questions and pondering about our existence
Who am I and why am I here, we would ask.
Well, as with all things, God has a purpose for our life on this earth.
First of all, with the advent of the New Covenant, God wants everyone to be reconciled with Him through Jesus Christ. God wants us to accept Christ as our Savior and live a life of obedience and worship.
After we accept Jesus as our Savior, then comes our great purpose in life.
This verse in Micah gives us a good start.
Micah 6:8 KJV
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
We are to be obedient to God’s word. That is a given.
We are to do justly, which means obedience to the moral laws of God.
We are to love mercy, which means to show mercy to others. Sound familiar? It should, as it is the golden rule in two words.
We are to walk humbly with God. The opposite of humility is pride. Pride begets self-righteousness, self-centeredness, self-importance and self-glory.
When we walk humbly with God, those around us see someone who is dependent on God and glorifies Him in their words, actions and deeds.
President Teddy Roosevelt is quoted as saying that “The President of the United States should be an example for children.” He believed that the President should be a role model for children and his actions should reflect appropriate values.
He was right.
And God wants His children to be the example and influence that we should be, to our children and small circle of the world we live in.
OUR GREATEST PURPOSE IS TO BE AN EXAMPLE AND INFLUENCE TO OTHERS
Living in obedience to God, doing justly, loving mercy and walking with humility are vital for our greater purpose of being here.
That greater and all-encompassing purpose, is to be an influence or example for those around us in our small circle of the world.
We should be an influence and example of the teachings of Jesus to our children, grandchildren and family. Our innermost circle.
Then we must be an influence and example of the teachings of Jesus to others that we come in contact with in our small circle of the world.
HOW AM I AN INFLUENCE OR EXAMPLE TO OTHERS?
These are just a few ways we are the light of the world to others.
- We should be an influence and example in our words and the way we talk. Do we always talk like a Christian? Do we avoid any talk that is not what Jesus would want? Do we control our anger and emotions when dealing with others?
- We should be an influence and example in our actions. Do we act in all ways like a child of God? Do we dress like a child of God? Do we show humility in our actions?
- We should be an influence and example in our deeds. Do we show compassion on those less fortunate than we are? Do we help those in need, when we are able? Do we treat others as we would want to be treated?
In other words, is our spiritual journey a blueprint for others that do not know Jesus?
Likewise, is our spiritual journey a blueprint and encouragement for other Christians on their spiritual journey?
We hope and pray that we can honestly answer yes to these questions. If we can’t, we need to make the necessary adjustments so that our life is the influence and example that God wants it to be.
If all of God’s children were the influence or example that they should be, the world would be a completely different place. Remember that old adage, “you are the only Bible that some people read.” It is true.
If all of God’s children were the influence and example that they should be, each of our small circles of the world would overlap and the ripples would biblically reach the four corners of the earth.
After accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, our greatest purpose is to be the “the light of the world” in a world of darkness.
Christ left us His example and our great purpose is to follow in His steps.
1 Peter 2:21 KJV
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow hissteps:
RVH