Being a Good Example

1 Timothy 4:12

"Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity."

 During our retreat, the speaker talked about this verse. If you read it, it seems so simple but it is truly powerful. There are 5 things that the speaker reiterated. Those are speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. As he discussed this topic, I came up with a lot of realization. Let us elaborate it.

Indeed, we are still young but let us not be eaten by the wheel of the society. The society dictates that this and that are okay as long as no one knows (if you know what I mean). The millennials has a big gap from the people before. Well, as one of them, I shouldn't be manipulated by what's okay in the society. Of course, you too. We should know what's good in the eyes of our Lord because He is our supreme judge, not the people around us. Therefore, let us be a good example of a true Christian. In the verse above, there are 5 keys for us to set an example. 

1. Speech - People nowadays are fine with cursing. Yup, the F, S, and M words. Maybe many more other words than that. The way we talk reflects who we are, what we believe, and where we came from. We should have a good diction (choice of words). Say NO to bad words.

2.  Conduct - In Tagalog, "asal". Having a good conduct makes you a good person. It doesn't matter if you got the highest degree in the world or if you are the richest person in the world but if you have a bad attitude, you lose dude. Is isn't right. 

3.  Love - Love, not only to the BF/GF thing. It's the sacrificial kind of love. Unconditional. We love a person not because of his/her status but because he/she is a son/daughter of God. Poor or rich, young or old, whatever your gender is... love conquers all because that's what Jesus Christ does. remember his new commandment? "Love One Another" (this reminds me of the hymn). 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35

4. Faith - Faith is believing. In Alma 32:21, it says "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye have hope for things which are not seen which are true". We wouldn't be called Christians if in the first place we do not believe in Him. Obedience is the lifeblood of faith, according to Elder Oaks (2016). If we have faith, we obey His commandments. That is a good reflection of a good believer of Christ. 

5. Purity - For me, we have two kinds of purity. Physical purity and spiritual purity. Our body is a temple of God we should remain pure in and out. Physical purity is when we remain our physical body clean. How? Not drinking and stuff. Follow the word of wisdom and of course, the law of chastity (if you know what I mean). Spiritual purity is when our thoughts, desires, and intentions are clean. God knows who we are. Dude, if you think you're a big sinner and has some flaws remember that God looks at you clean. Great thing we have repentance. We will be forgiven. We will all be purified. 

These 5 things reflect who you are. Practice what you preach. Always think of Jesus Christ for He made a good example for us to follow. It's not too late to change! Where? HERE. When? NOW.

And the hymn "Do What is Right" popped in to my mind right now. :)