Matthew 23:1-3, MSG, Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. “The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God’s Law. You won’t go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don’t live it. They don’t take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It’s all spit-and-polish veneer.
The story is told of a young pastor who also worked at a feed processing plant. Each night when he went home, his boys would look at him and say, “Oh, Dad, you sure look very dusty!”
He would grumble to himself, but then smile and say, “Yes, boys, I sure am dusty.” One Saturday morning, as he was washing his car, he looked over and saw his 4 year-old son begin to pick up small stones from the driveway and rub them onto his pants.
The father asked in a state of shock, “What are you doing, son?”, to which he replied, “I want to be dusty like you, Dad.” He then realised that, if a son would look up to his father for being dusty, then he would look up to him for anything. What a great responsibility it is to be a role model.
Just like the pastor, to be a role model for others is very vital in Christianity. We are to be the salt and the light to the world. (Matthew 5:13-16). To be a great model for the world is having the world imitate you as you imitate Christ. We must not live in hypocrisy for the world is watching to imitate us. To be a great model for the world doesn’t mean acting sacred and putting up a front in the sight of others; but it is having the world imitate you as you imitate Christ.
The best testimony to the world is not what we say to them but how we live before their eyes. Here are 3 reasons why you should be a good role model:
#1. The world is watching.
We must not live in hypocrisy for the world is watching to imitate us. From our reading today, Jesus encouraged the crowds and his disciples to obey the instructions of the Pharisees and teachers of religious law, but warned them not to follow their example.
#2. The great Apostles of Jesus Christ were good models.
The Apostles of Jesus had Jesus and, as others followed them, they followed Him. The Bible says in
1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Therefore, we must follow the example of those Early Fathers.
#3. Being a good role model makes you have a stronger sense of motivation to do well.
When you know someone else is counting on you, you’ll have clearer goals. Your commitment to your goals is strengthened, and you will strive to be an incredibly competent role model when you you know someone else is counting on you to lead a good life.
Precious one, not only should we be role models to the outside world, but we should be a good example for our kids at home as well. Kids tend to pick up on what they see. If they see bad they’re going to do bad, and if they see good they’re going to do good. Be a good role model today.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me wisdom to be a good role model to my world
in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Topics : Charles Agyinasare, Charles Agyinasare, Stories, Role Model,
