(by pastor Norman)

In 1 Peter 2:12, the apostle begs Christians to demonstrate honourable behaviour and good works appropriate for disciples of Christ. In other words, Peter expected Christians to be different from the world around them. The apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians to imitate God and walk in love (Eph 5:1-2). Paul challenged his associate, Titus, to be an example of “good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech” (Titus 2:6-7; NKJV). Wow! That’s quite a challenging list! To his associate, Timothy, he wrote, “Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12; NKJV). The apostle John reminds us that we will be recognized as Christians by the way we love each other with the unconditional love of Jesus (John 13:35). Jesus said He gave us an example of a humble, loving servant when He washed His disciples’ feet; then He said we should do as He did (John 13:14-15). The apostle Paul, in all humility, held up his life as an example to follow; he said, “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1; NKJV). Now that’s a verse to sit back and meditate on! How can we be an example for Christ? The apostle John wrote that if we abide in Christ we can walk as He did (1 John 2:6). In the Bible, we see that as we saturate in God’s word, we are trained to be all God wants us to be (2 Tim 3:16-17) and the Holy Spirit can change us to be more and more like Jesus Christ (2 Cor 3:18), examples for Him!