Being a Christian Model

Hello,

So we are now finished week 2 of my new Bible Study. I am so glad that I was invited to participate. I am getting a lot out of it.

We are studying Thessalonians. One of the things we are focusing on is the use of the terms: We, You, and They. Who do they represent. Thessalonians is a letter written by Paul, Silas and Timothy to the Church (believers). It is to encourage them. For as believers we should imitate God and provide models for others' behavior.

I am so glad we are doing this. I think about this every day. I try very hard to be a Christian model for others. Gone are the days of heavy drinking. Gone are the days of watching morally irresponsible television shows and movies. Gone are the days of gossip. Gone are the days of bad mouthing others.  Gone are the days of foul language. Gone is the negativity.

On more than one occasion someone has told me that one of the things they like about me is that I don't have a bad thing to say about anyone else and that I am always positive. I am very proud of that. Sometimes I slip, I am human, but for the most part I am able to stop myself before I say something bad. And then I ask God for forgiveness for thinking it.

My Christian Faith has grown so much over the years. I used to be a quiet closet Christian. I didn't talk openly about my faith. Now you'll be hard pressed to get me to stop. Because part of being a Christian is to testify. I used to think that was a horrible phrase. People get so offended by that. But, there is more than one way to do it.

I don't approach people and ask if they believe in Jesus Christ and tell them they are going to hell if they don't. In my opinion, that's not going to get a lot of positive responses. No, instead I just openly talk about my faith and church. I'm not going to reach everybody, but if seeing and hearing how much peace and joy I get from it leads one person to a personal relationship with God, then I have done my job.

When we were leaving tonight they asked if we lead a life that others can imitate. I am proud to say yes.

*****

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

-1 Thessalonians 1: 6-8