Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Corinthians 4:16

For Meditation

If how we live is different from what we teach, we show that we are hypocrites. Leadership has everything to do with exemplary living. It demonstrates our faith in the doctrines we hold on to and teach because we live them. That is the only way to lead others on the grand journey we are undertaking to heaven in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 Paul always emphasized the integrity of his life. He constantly set his new life in Christ before him in everything. This is the essence of his grand statement in his letter to the Galatians. “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Because Paul lived this way, he could tell the Philippians to “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do” (Phil. 3:17). The way Paul lived his life in Christ and his exemplary leadership were dedicated as his offering to God (1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Tim. 4:6).

That is what he charged his protégé, Timothy, to commit to and to monitor very closely – almost jealously (1 Tim. 4:16). Why? Because the integrity of Timothy’s Christian testimony and the faith of those he ministered to depended on it. And that is no mean charge.

We all have the same responsibility to exhibit Christ in our thoughts and actions. That way, we can lead others to Him and be trustworthy leaders and mentors.

Shalom, and good morning.