Think about someone who embodies Christianity to you. Someone who is an example in your day to day life of someone who has Christ living in them. Now, ask yourself this question: are you that somebody to someone else?

In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul urges a young Timothy to be an example of the believers in a lot of areas. Depending on the translation, it can say either be an example OF believers or be an example TO believers, but really, we need to be examples in both.

In the areas of love, spirit, faith, conduct, word, and purity, we need to be examples to those who are already Christians, as well as to those who want to see what Christianity is all about. The people we come in contact with on any given day, in any given circumstance, should see a difference shining in our lives, and that difference should be the time we’ve spent with Jesus.

When our Christian brothers and sisters are around, we should be an example to them in all of the aforementioned areas. They should see our love for others and our love for God and be inspired to live a more dedicated life. They should hear our words and notice that grace has been imparted both to them and about whomever or whatever we’re speaking. They should see that our actions align with our professions of faith. In everything we do and say, believers should be able to look to us and be encouraged to be better.

But those who don’t believe in God should also be able to use our example to lead them to Jesus. If a non-Christian followed you around for a day, a week, a month – would they be closer to God than before? Or, would they be turned off from the church due to your hypocritical actions and words? Would they be unimpressed by your devotion (or lack thereof)? Or would they see your good works and glorify God?

These are real questions that we need to think about, because the answers are eternal matters. Just as Timothy needed to be a shining light to Ephesus and to his brothers and sisters who lived there, you and I need to be lights to our community and a source of encouragement to our brothers and sisters (that we both see in person and that see us online).