Peripheral Impact!

When Israel stated their desire to have a king so they could be like all the other nations ( 1 Samuel 8:5 & 20), God had Samuel warn the people what being under the rule of a king would be like. ( 1 Samuel 8:10-18) Nevertheless the people insisted on having a king anyway. ( 1 Samuel 8:19) Saul was God’s choice for Israel’s first king and he was anointed with the exhortation toward both the faithfulness of the king and the people in following the Lord so that things would go well with them. ( 1 Samuel 12:14) Unfortunately Saul’s heart did not remain faithful to God and he was eventually rejected as king. Reading through the history of the kings of Israel and Judah it is sad to note how so many of them tended to lead the nation again and again away from faithfulness to God.

David, God’s choice to replace Saul, had his own struggles with temptation and sin. However, David possessed a heart which continually drew him back to God. He was willing to humbly acknowledge his sin and recognized the impact his own personal choices and the direction of his own life could have ON OTHERS.

Note an expression of David’s solemn desire with regard to others.
“LET NOT THOSE WHO HOPE IN YOU BE PUT TO SHAME THROUGH ME, O Lord God of hosts; LET NOT THOSE WHO SEEK YOU BE BROUGHT TO DISHONOR THROUGH ME, O God of Israel.” ( Psalm 69:6 ESV)

Whether we are aware of it or not (even irregardless of whether we want it to be so) there are people who will note our example, some of whom will follow it. Our choices not only greatly impact our own lives, but we must also recognize the extent to which they can potentially touch the lives OF OTHERS.

Note the serious warning Jesus gave.
“(1) And he said to his disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but WOE TO THE ONE THROUGH WHOM THEY COME! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea THAN THAT HE SHOULD CAUSE ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES TO SIN.’” ( Luke 17:1-2 ESV)

May we never lose sight of the impact beyond our own selves with regard to the way we conduct our lives. Let us closely guard our actions lest we be guilty of leading ANOTHER astray. However, let us also be encouraged that as we live faithful to God there is great potential for OTHERS to follow that lead. As Paul exhorted the Corinthian brethren to follow his example as he followed the example of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 11:1) may we resolve to do likewise.

Have a great day LIVING A LIFE WORTH IMITATING.
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Example