Being An Example Of Christ

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Friday, November 27, 2015
Chapters: 1 Corinthians 9-12
Message Title: Being An Example Of Christ

Hello My Friend,

An example is a pattern or a copy of someone or thing, we are copies of other people, in fact, we are copies of several people, whether we have a good or bad influence on others, our example is what someone else will follow. That's why it is important as Christians that we follow the example of Christ. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 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. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” - John 13:15-17.

“happy are ye if ye do them.” The Christian life is not something that is forced upon us, it's a choice, but if we are going to choose Christ, we must live a life that is pleasing to God. When Jesus was here in the flesh His main objective apart from fulfilling the Gospel was preaching the Gospel. Every saved soul is to willingly preach the Gospel to the lost. Why? Paul explains the importance of living and preaching the Gospel.

“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” - 1 Corinthians 9:11-17.

“lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.” People are dying and going to hell every day, people that actually believe in God and Jesus, but never heard the Gospel, I use to be one of them. Unless we understand what the Gospel is, live it, and teach it we are going to lose family and friends more than just by death, they will be in hell. They will die not knowing Christ as their Saviour, and we will be haunted by that for the rest of our lives. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." - Romans 10:9,10.

Many people dismiss the Old Testament as if it does not relate to us today, but it is important that we know and study both testaments. While we are not bound the laws God gave the Jews before Jesus came, we are bound to the blood, God, and Jesus. Paul explains to the people at Corinth that the people of the Old Testament were the example, many were an example that we are not to follow.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” - 1 Corinthians 10:16,17,21-23.

“All things are lawful for me,” While there were millions of people that were examples that God could have given us as examples He chose these men, women, and children. God used people of every faith known to man as an example so that all walks of life can know the truth about God, His blessings, and warnings of judgment. There is nothing that we see today that God has not seen already, and if we take the time to study all of His Word we will see that the world was just as corrupt before Jesus came as it is today and it's going to get worse before He returns, which is also written in both the Old and New Testaments. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” - 2 Corinthians 5:10.

As Christians, we must be godly examples in and out of the church, and that means following the examples that Christ laid out for us, no, we are not to be human sacrifices, but living sacrifices. Paul addresses both men and women, stress the importance for certain roles in public as well as in the home.

“Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” - 1 Corinthians 11:2-7.

“and the head of the woman is the man;” There are different roles that women and men play in and out of the church. Christ is the head of every individual, as he is the Creator and Preserver of all mankind. The woman, and since Eve was created for Adam, is made to honor her husband, encourage, and support him. Those that have no husband are still subject to mans rules, this does not mean women are slaves to men, just that they are not to be above men in any position. Since we are the weaker vessel (Eve was deceived by Satan first) the man is the head of the woman to provide and care for her, to nourish and cherish her, and to protect and defend her against all insults and injuries. “The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” - 1 Corinthians 7:4,5.

The Body of Christ in the world is for the service of Christ, and the body is to serve the Head. The gifts and graces of the members of the body greatly differ, but are freely given of God through the Holy Spirit. The Corinthians were arguing whether or not their serving God was more significant than others. Paul explains that all who are saved are members of the body of Christ and play a part in serving Him. “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” - 1 Corinthians 12:1,4-6,11,28.

“diversities of tongues.” This means that some of us can speak and interpret several languages. Since all the spiritual gifts in the members of the body of Christ proceed from the Holy Spirit that indwells in them, no member may boast over their abilities, and no member, however insignificant, may consider themselves of no value, but is equally obligated to be yielded to the Spirit. Whether a person is gifted by God to provide one service or many we are all significant to God, no one is left out, yet no one is irreplaceable, we are merely servants sent to do the work He called us to do at the time we are doing it. “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised...For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” - 1 Corinthians 4:1,2,10,20.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to thank You for Your goodness in supplying for all my needs. Certainly You’ve blessed me with physical blessings such as food, clothing, shelter, but You also shower me with spiritual blessings as You allow me to be one of Your ministers. Lord, I want my testimony to be an example of Your life-changing, all-sufficient, and all-sustaining mercy, grace, and love to all who need to know Your Son. Lead me and guide me, make me the example You need me to be. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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