In a world that hasn’t much understanding of God, Jesus or the Bible, it’s imperative that we who are Christians model the lifestyle of Jesus and the apostles to those around us. The first responders to Paul’s message and miracles in the Greek city of Thessalonica simply copied the Apostle Paul’s lifestyle. Paul’s lifestyle was a credible model of Christ.
The result was they became examples [patterns] of Jesus to many in the area. “For from you the message of the Lord has sounded forth [has been trumpeted], not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we [apostles] do not need to say anything.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-8)
The Thessalonians knew next to nothing about the Bible: there are no direct quotes from the Old Testament in I Thessalonians. But the Truth of Jesus Christ was demonstrated in the power of the Holy Spirit not only in healing miracles but also in the assurance of salvation apparent in the lives of Paul and his companions.
A heritage of biblical knowledge is a great treasure but in its absence, the modelling of Christ’s life and ministry by those who bring the Good News is a good start. The credibility of our message can be emphasised by our good character
People today know next to nothing about the values that those who are longtime Christians take for granted. Those who have never read the Bible or attended a church meeting, need to see the life of Jesus visible in those who not only read the Bible but also model it. It’s not how much we know but what we do with what we know that counts.
Christianity was first known as “The Way”. We don’t need to dress in robes or wear sandals, or adopt the lifestyle of 1st century Christians. Living and loving like Jesus and becoming good role models of him in our own time and culture will attract people around us to the Lord we follow.
Being a good model does not involve us being dressed like Christian counterparts of clothing on department store mannequins, but rather that to those around us our message is believable because the way we live and the love we show toward them makes us credible and our message more acceptable.