OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Articles Next 

THE POWER OF AN EXAMPLE

Victor M. Eskew

 

Eight verses in the New Testament contain the word “example” (Matt. 1:19; John 13:15; 1 Tim. 4:12; Heb. 4:11; 8:5; James 5:10; 1 Pet. 2:21; Jude 7).  The plural, “examples,” is found one time (1 Cor. 10:6).  The word “ensample” is found three times (Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess 3:9; 2 Pet. 2:6).  Its plural, “ensamples,” is also found three times (1 Cor. 10:11; 1 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 5:3).  The word “example” means:  “a pattern or model, something to be imitated or avoided” (www.dictionary.com).

There is tremendous power in an example.  It can be a power for good.  It can also be a power for evil.  The pages of the Bible are replete with examples for each one of us to consider.  In the opening chapter of the Bible we are given an example of the marvelous power of God.  God simply speaks and things come into existence.  “And God said, let there be light:  and there was light” (Gen. 1:3).  It only took God six days to bring everything in the Universe into existence.  Consider the list of things created by God found in Genesis 1:  a formless earth, Day, Night, the firmament, dry land, seas, grass, herbs, fruit trees, sun, moon, stars, great whales, every living creature in the waters, and every winged fowl, cattle, everything that creepeth on the earth, man and woman.  Genesis 2:7 impresses us with God’s power to instill life into man.  “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  What man can speak and cause things to come into existence?  What man can create the marvels of the Universe?  What man can instill life into plants, animals, and human beings?  Only God has creative power.  This wonderful display of His might should cause all men to bow and reverence the God of all Creation.  The psalmist was correct when he wrote:  “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Ps. 19:1).  In another verse, David proclaimed:  “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Ps. 139:14). 

            In John 13, we have another potent example of deity at work.  This time the example is found in the man Jesus Christ.  On this occasion, Jesus manifests the power of an example as He assumes the position of a servant and washes His disciples’ feet.  “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:4-5).  It was a shocking experience for the twelve.  It was a humbling experience.  It was a learning experience.  It was an example which they would never forget.  Jesus plainly told the His chosen why He had done this.  “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  Ye call me Master and Lord:  and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you” (John 13:12-15).  Dear readers, the actual act of washing feet was only incidental in this account in the life of Christ.  The point Jesus was trying to get His followers to learn was the need to become servants.  If a lowly task needrf to be done for others, they should do it.  They should not refrain because they were the apostles.  Jesus reminded them, saying:  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him” (John 13:16).  No one in the Lord’s kingdom is so great and powerful that he does not have to serve.  Jesus did.  He is our example.  If it means we must wash feet, we wash them.  If it involves another dirty job, we do it.  It is interesting how Jesus concluded this teaching.  “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).  True joy in the Christian life is not found in being served.  Instead, it is found in serving. 

            The Bible also sets negative examples before us.  There are multitudes of them from which to choose.  Let’s discuss the one Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 10:5-11.  Paul’s words are centered upon the Israelites who exited the land of Egypt.  These individuals were “all baptized unto Moses” at which point they were redeemed from the bondage of Pharaoh (1 Cor. 10:1-2).  They were given the necessary provisions for their journey, spiritual meat and spiritual drink (1 Cor. 10:3-4).  “But with many of them God was not well pleased:  for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Cor. 10:5).  God was not well-pleased with them because they continually transgressed His will.  In verse 6, Paul begins with these words:  “Now these things were our examples…”  In verse 11, he concludes, saying:  “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples and they are written for our admonition…”  The children of Israel lusted after evil things.  They committed idolatry.  They committed fornication.  They tempted Christ.  Too, they often murmured and complained.  We ask:  “These are our examples?”  Yes.  However, they are examples to be avoided.  Let’s read verses 6-11.

 

                        “Now these things were our examples, to the intent that WE SHOULD NOT                                           LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS, as they also lusted.  NEITHER BE YE IDOL-                                           ATERS, as were some of them; as it is written The people sat down to eat and                                                       drink, and rose up to play.  NEITHER LET US COMMIT FORNICATION,                                            as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.                                                     NEITHER LET US TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and                                                        were destroyed of serpents.  NEITHER MURMUR YE, as some of them also                                                  murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  Now all these things happened                                      unto them for ensamples:  and they are written for our admonition, upon whom                                          the ends of the world are come” (emp. mine, vme). 

 

Paul exhorts us not to do these things.  They committed these sins during the wilderness wandering.  Each time, they were punished for their actions.  We need to learn from them.  Their examples should cause us to flee these sins and be obedient to our God.

            In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul exhorts us to be examples.  “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  Remember, there is power in an example.  There is power in your example.  That power can be for good or for evil.  As you think about how you are living your life before other believers, what are they seeing?  Are they seeing an example that can followed?  Or, are they seeing an example that should be avoided?  It is hoped that all of us can encourage others as did Paul the Corinthians.  He said:  “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).  Dear reader, can you honest say that?