Who in your life impacted you by leading by example? How did that affect you in the long term? How can following God’s plan for your life change the way you lead yourself and others? When you lead by example, you create a living example of what’s possible. People can look at you and say, “I want to be like that.” As Christians, we are called to live by example. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 11:1“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” [1]
Abraham Led by Example
God tested Abraham when He asked him to sacrifice his only son that he had waited 25 years for. As a father, Abraham’s faithful response to that test was a living example for Isaac, his son. The Scriptures do not say, but I would imagine that experience was burned into the heart of Isaac. His father was the model of obedience and faith even when He did not fully understand all that God was doing.
Abraham’s leading by example can affect us in our faith walk even if he lived long ago. Genesis 22:3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”
6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, 7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. [2]
Jesus Led by Example
Jesus showed kindness, goodness, and patience towards His disciples and those around Him through his actions and words. He was leading by example of self-control in life’s circumstances. When we follow Jesus’ example, we, too, can display the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.[3]
We Can Lead by Example
We are role models to those around us whether that is home, church, workplace, stores, etc. We can even be a role model to a complete stranger. What we say and what we do matters, because people watch our every move. Sometimes we don’t even realize someone is watching us.
Abraham’s example of faithfulness has inspired generations of people to follow and trust the Lord even when they don’t understand God’s plan for them. May the Lord work through you also to inspire others to follow and trust the Lord. Listen here for more on Abraham’s obedience: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-abraham
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.