Role Models
One of the hardest things about spreading anything Biblical, is that so many of us live totally opposite of what the Bible teaches, or what we portray in church.
There is so much focus nowadays on many things that seem to distract from the fact that being Christian should be synonymous to Living Christlike. Which church you attend, what is the size of the congregation, what type of service or services do you have, what type of music is played, are there a lot of programs, and so on, seem to be more important than to actually have any lifestyle resembling that of Jesus. Lifestyle outside of the church can really be the most important factor. (The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:16)
Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that all Christians need to leave their homes and travel around spreading the Word of God, we can truly spread The Word in our everyday lives. One of the hardest things about spreading anything Biblical, is that so many of us live totally opposite of what the Bible teaches, or what we portray in church. Yes, image is important if we intend to be a positive role model in our community and to those who really matter to us. When we check the WENT TO CHURCH box one, two or three times a week we are good, and it is that HUGE church, you know, the one on TV. Ahh, life is good, my work is done.
So, what are we doing, how are we setting Christian examples when we continue to live as though we never heard of the Bible or the teachings of Christ outside of the church walls? Can we truly be effective if we profess one thing and live the opposite way or maybe just part of the time? (For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21)
Role models seem to attract so many of us, and we desire to be just like them. It is very tough when our role models are living or appear to be living just the opposite of what our Christian teachings would like for us to exhibit. There are many of us who choose our role models wisely, however most of the time we are fixated on popular or powerful individuals because they tend to have wonderful fairy-tale lives. That process of choosing a role model happens often when we do not even know that we have chosen them. Our young ones are very susceptible, which is why it is so important for them to have positive role models in their lives at an early age. Mom and Dad come to mind, and if they are living Christian existences, the chances of latching onto positive role models will be increased. (Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6)
Many of us tend to forget that it is our duty as parents to be that role model our kids first want to emulate. That duty does not belong to the schools, to their friends or our friends, or even some mega wealthy celebrity, but FIRST to the very individuals responsible for their life here on earth. The same can be said for parents who adopt children, just because they are not yours biologically it does not exclude you. We cannot put this off onto anyone else, there is a great deal of responsibility involved in being parents. So as parents, we also need to choose positive Christian role models, you know, Christ-Like. (Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, Titus 2:7)
Does this mean we will be free of worry or problems as they grow if we raise them being those positive role models? There are no guarantees, however it is well-known that being raised in Christian homes, kids are less likely to get involved with alcohol and drug abuse, in using tobacco products and the suicide rate is much smaller. There are many other positive factors such as educational choices involved when we provide that positive Christian role model. If we truly desire a society that will prosper instead of crumble, we need to take it upon ourselves to be better role models.
Where do we begin? Right where we are, any day and any time, that is where we begin. Our kids and loved ones are much too valuable to not take the opportunity given us and represent the love of Christ all the time, not just inside of the church walls. This may be why some of us have had trouble with not being in a physical church at times over the last few months. As we have explored in previous articles, The Church Is Not A Building, the Church is the Body of Christ. We should live that body everywhere we go, in everything we post on social media, and everything we say. The church walls just expanded to everywhere.
What are your thoughts? What are some of your ideas? Leave a reply!
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