Minister’s Corner: The power of example

Truth is powerful when it is argued. It is more powerful, however, when it is exhibited. People need not only to understand the argument, they need to see the benefits of the argument with their own eyes. It is hard to exaggerate the power for good in a secular community that can be exerted by a thoroughly Christian family in which the whole community sees the husband and wife loving and honoring one another, devoted and faithful to one another, finding fulfillment in one another. They see the children growing up in the security of a loving and disciplined home. They see a family not turned in on themselves, but turned outwards, entertaining strangers, welcoming, keeping an open home, seeking to get involved in the concerns of the community and so on.
This is the power of example. One Christian nurse in a hospital, one Christian teacher in the school, one Christian in a shop or factory or office can make a difference. Christians are marked people. The world is watching, and God’s major way of changing the whole society is to implant within it His new society, with its different values and different standards and different joys and different goals, so that people see and are attracted. Jesus said, “...that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16b KJV)