BECOME A MODEL
David E. Knoch

"Let no one be despising your youth, but become a model for the believers, in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim.4:12). Paul told both of his young followers to become models (Titus 2:6-8), therefore if we are following Paul as He followed Christ (1 Cor.11:1) it appears that we, too, should become models. Model comes from the Greek word beat. It was applied to the impression that was made by beating a die against a softer object. This impression was a copy of the original which was beaten against it. We are to be copies of Paul, in the way he copied (or imitated) Christ, that we also might serve as something to be copied by those around us, becoming models for them. "Become imitators together of me, brethren," Paul tells us, "and be noting those who are walking thus, according as you have us for a model" (Phil.3:17).

Note that Paul tells Timothy that he can be a model in five different ways—in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, and in purity. It may be profitable for us to study each of these terms individually, to see what may be their exact significance and application in our lives.

IN WORD

Paul deals first with how we may become models in our speech. In other places he has told us more specifically just what we should avoid, and what we should strive for, in our conversations with others. Ephesians 4:29 states that "no tainted word at all" should be issuing out of our mouths. The word tainted is the same word which is translated rotten when used of the tree which produced noxious fruit in the parable spoken by our Lord (Matt.7:17). Colossians 3:8,9 tells us five different things to eliminate from our speech. "Yet, now you also be putting away all these: anger, fury, malice, calumny, obscenity, out of your mouth."

These last two passages have told us what to avoid, the next tells us what to substitute in their place. "In wisdom be walking toward those outside, reclaiming the era, your word being always with grace, seasoned with salt, perceiving how you must answer each one" (Col.4:7). In 2 Cor.5:20 we read that "For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching: 'For Christ's sake be conciliated to God!'" An ambassador has to be very wise and very gracious in what he says. Let us picture ourselves in this role as we talk to others, remembering that we are not just speaking for ourselves, but as His representatives.

IN BEHAVIOR

"Put off from you, as regards your former behavior, the old humanity which is corrupting in accord with its seductive desires, yet...be rejuvenated in the spirit of your mind, to put on the new humanity" (Eph.4:22). Our behavior now as a believer should be noticeably different from what it was before we became one. "For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them" (Eph.2:10). "I am entreating you, then, brethren, by the pities of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice, living, holy, well pleasing to God, your logical divine service, and not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and mature" (Rom.12:1,2).

"Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be manly! Be staunch! Let all your actions occur in love!" (+1 Cor.16:13). It is not the weakling who lets all of his actions occur in love. This takes real strength. That is very evident from the passage quoted above. Letting all your actions occur in love is not the "easy" way out, but it is the only way to follow Paul's instructions. The reason why love is so essential to our service is explained very fully and clearly in the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. Read this chapter if you are not familiar with what it says. "Yet now are remaining faith, expectation, love—these three. Yet the greatest of these is love. Be pursuing love."

IN FAITH

Hebrews tells us that "faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed" (11:1,2) It is good to remember that the two English words faith and belief are the same word in Greek. Our faith is what we believe. And it is our faith in Christ Jesus that justifies us in God's eyes, and makes it possible for us to have peace toward God. It is by faith that we have access into this grace in which we now stand (Rom.5:1,2). How can we be models for others in our faith? Paul tells us. We are to be "persisting in the faith, grounded and settled" (Col.1:23). We are to be like Timothy, a "genuine" child in faith. Paul was filled with joy because of the "unfeigned faith" that was in him (2 Tim.1:5). To feign is to pretend, therefore let's make sure that our faith is strong and genuine, not something we just "put on."

IN PURITY

Just what does purity mean, anyway? When you buy a glass of orange juice that is supposed to be "100 per cent pure" that means that there is nothing else added. Paul told Timothy later on in this same epistle, "Place hands quickly on no one, nor yet be participating in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure" 2 Corinthians 6:14 says "Do not become diversely yoked with unbelievers." Therefore, if we are to serve as a proper model for others we must remain pure of the defilements which come from too close an association with unbelievers. We don't want our acts or our acquaintances to dilute our service to the Lord.