Title: It can be done
Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12b
I recently presided at the funeral of my closest and dearest aunt, my mother’s only sister. While she was in no way “outspoken” about her faith in Christ in the literal sense of the word, her life was a loud testimony to the fact that she trusted Jesus . . . sometimes just enough to help her keep her mouth shut when many others could (and would) easily justify criticizing, judging or gossiping.
The most astonishing thing to me about her memorial was that no one there—not even her own family members who lived with her—could ever recall her saying a disparaging word about anyone. As I reflected, I realized that my own experience of her over my lifetime suggested it was true. I also realized it was sadly not true of me, but if she could do it, I could do it.
What areas of your life are you a poor example for other believers? Make it a point to change that today.
