The Impact of Example

"Moreover it required in stewards, that a an be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2). Throughout Paul's life and journey's, and really for all the apostles, they were constantly met with tests of their faith. What made them such good teachers by example is that they stood firm to their faith and did not waver.

In 1 Corinthians 4:9-17, Paul talks to a group of church members and calls upon them to be strong in the faith. In these verses he is talking about the Ephesians. He says in verse 17 that he has sent Timotheus to them to be a teacher and a leader to them so that they may never waver. Timotheus labored at with Paul on his journeys and in Ephesus was made a Bishop over the church. Paul tells the Ephsians that they are wise in Christ and that they are blessed for having the Gospel in their lives but to be watchful. At the time there were a lot of different teachings of Christ and men teaching false doctrines and leading people astray. Paul wanted to make sure that the people were following the right path which is why he had Timotheus stay with them.

In these verses Paul was speaking to the Ephesians but this could be directly applied to us in our day. We are living in a time where there are many different teachings of Christ and so much temptation to stray, but Paul is asking us to be firm believers and to be examples to others of the things that we know are true. It is important that we act as examples because we never know who is watching. If we know what is true but we do not live in a way that shows that we know it we could be potentially hurting other peoples chances at gaining a testimony through us.

By being righteous examples and living what we know we will be blessed by the Lord. In 3 Nephi 8:1 it talks about how a man performed miracles in the name of Jesus and the people knew that he was true because he, "was a just man" and "true". This man an example to the people and because of that he got to perform miracles and reaffirm peoples faith through those miracles.