Living as a role model - how holy do I need to be?
The importance of role models
Are role models really that important and meaningful? On the BESJ team, everyone thought about what influenced them, shaped them, so that they are the way they are today. It was always friends, colleagues - role models, in fact - who shaped them. As you get older, you realize more how role models shape your life. As a young person, you often have the impression that this is not the case at all. The importance of role models can also be seen in the importance that posters of idols have. A youth magazine without posters - sells poorly.
I myself had several role models:
- On the one hand, my father, who today at 84 is still a great spiritual challenge and role model for me
- A youth leader with whom I led numerous holiday colonies and who took time to encourage me again and again in personal conversations but also to seriously put his finger on sore points
- Wilhelm Pahls was a great role model for me and I was allowed insights into his dealings with God
- Martin Luther, as he stood up for the biblical faith and totally trusted in God and His Word, became a role model for me
The M Magazine of November 23, 2003 was devoted to the subject of role models. From it can be read (and added by PB)
- Models broaden our horizons
- Models give us hope
- Models fill value vacuum
- Models stay the course
- Models have courage
- Models are teachable
- Models provide assurance
- Models convey enthusiasm
- Models are not self-righteous
- Models convey moral integrity
- Models are authentic (theory and practice match)
- Models can own up to mistakes
- Models are also role models in private (jaywalking - with kids = no but in private = yes)
- People can live immorally - meaning they can have a bad lifestyle, cheat on women like John F. Kennedy, and still be role models. Or personalities like Nelson Mandela became role models even though they participated in acts of terror. Rock singers, music stars can become idols / role models, even though they take drugs, consume too much alcohol, engage in sexual debauchery, occult practices or glorify violence, etc.
This clearly shows: role models have great influence. Children especially are very easily influenced. How often have I heard from JS-lern, they want to be once like this leader or that leader. Yes, they even want to become BESJ secretary one day.
What does the Bible say about example?
1 Co 22:53
He did what the LORD detested, and followed the bad example of his father and mother. Like Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he seduced the Israelites into idolatry.
2 Chr 17:3
The Lord stood by Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of David and did not worship other gods.
Rom 13:14
Instead, let Jesus Christ be your model in everything. Beware of making your body, with its desires and lusts, the center of your life.
Rom 15:2
Each of us is to conduct himself in such a way that his personal example encourages his neighbor to do good and strengthens him in the faith.
1 Cor 16:18
Yes, they also gave us new courage and relieved us of many worries. Take these men as your example!
Gal 4:18
Now I don't mind at all if you take others as your example, however, they must be good examples. How I'd love to be your example, even if I'm not with you. (Being a role model is an honor for Paul)
Phil 4:9
Hold fast to the gospel, just as you heard it from me and received it. Direct yourselves according to what I have taught you, and live according to my example. Then God will be with you and give you his peace.
1 Tim 4:12
No one has a right to look down on you because you are so young. However, you must be an example in every way, in everything you say and do: in love, in faith, and in your whole disposition.
2 Tim 3:10
You have taken as your model my life, my disposition, my faith, in addition to my longsuffering, my love and patience.
Tit 2:7
Most of all, be thou a good example to them in every way. This applies to everything you teach, but also to your personal life.
It is undeniable that the Word of God gives a very important place to example. We are called to be role models. But how does that happen? No one is born a role model or one is just suddenly a role model. It is a lifelong process. This process is what the Bible calls healing.
I can will this process, allow it, or hinder it, make it impossible.
And how holy do I have to be now to be an example?
Being holy in an unholy world
It would be very easy now to list some scriptures and then say, this is how you are to live. Why: we live in an unholy world, in time ruled by Satan and an environment enslaved by him.
But before we deal specifically with the everyday situation, let's let the Bible have its say. What does it mean by holy and sanctification:
To be holy
Living holy
Tension between being holy and unholy sinning
Source credits
- Content, images, copyright: BESJ www.besj.ch
- Cover image: www.juropa.net
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