Christian Example

Being a Good Example

Christianity Oasis provides this Christian Example / Be a good example quest to be righteous & being a good example bringing forth truth, understanding and peace.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
Chapter 2


Christian Example - Be a Good Example

Be Righteous - Being a Good Example

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very intriguing and important Christian Example and Be a good example discussion taking an in depth look into lessons on how to be righteous while teaching ways of being a good example. The absolutely awesome Christian example and being a good example message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.

Christian Example & Be a Good Example Tips
Be Righteous & Being a Good Example Help

Glad to have you back again to share more Daily Bread. Let's take a look at the place called Philippi for a moment. As you know from our study of the first chapter of this letter from Paul, Philippi was in a part of Macedonia that is now the north part of Greece. The people from there (as well as from everywhere else in the world, who were not a direct descendant of Abraham) were called Gentiles or heathen, which means they were from any nation other than Israel.

The Greeks, in those times, were believers in mythology and they had many, many different gods for different things. They worshiped idols and not only was it their "religion" but it was big business as well (Acts 19:24).

Now, it had been somewhere between 1500 to 1600 years since the Exodus from Egypt, so it's a good guess that the Greeks knew about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and all of His wonders. It had also been about 50 years since Jesus time on Earth, so we can assume that news of the Messiah had by then reached Macedonia also.

Christian Example / Be a Good Example Hints
Be Righteous / Being a Good Example Vow

Then arrives Paul. He brings the Gospel to these people and the invitation to become Christians, to abandon their lifeless gods and become one with the One and only living God. Remember, that up until Jesus arrived, the heathen weren't accepted by God as part of His people and until Paul came along, many hadn't even heard of the New Testament or New Covenant which allowed Gentiles into God's Grace.

So, as you can well imagine, there was a bit of an adjustment period for these people as well as in many other places; Corinth, Galatia, Thessalonica, etc. Paul had visited these cities during his sojourning and spreading the Truth and established the churches, revisiting some of them, but obviously he couldn't be everywhere at once and then he was imprisoned, so they were pretty much on their own ... Except for these letters. This should give you a little better idea as to how appreciated and necessary these letters were from Paul, to strengthen, admonish, and encourage the Gentiles to hold firmly to the Faith, because they had more than 4,000 years (since Creation) of a totally different doctrine working against them.

Philippi, from the information we get from Paul's letter, learned and accepted Christianity very readily and their love and hospitality to Paul kept them very close to his heart. They had a few challenges as you'll see in the upcoming chapters, but for the most part, they were a very promising group. In this second chapter, Paul reminds the Philippians to strive to be loving, selfless, and unified, because other churches weren't prospering in the Faith as well as they were, and they were a good example to others. He also urged them to praise and be submissive to God, even without him there in their presence to guide them. Let's continue with Paul's letter.

Christian Example and Be a Good Example Truth
Be Righteous and Being a Good Example Today

You may have noticed, that one of Paul's deepest hopes is for everyone to live in harmony, as one, and to put others above themselves. He urges the people of Philippi to strive for this too.

Philippians 2:5-11 Good News Translation

5 The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had:
6 He always had the nature of God, but He did not think that by force He should try to remain equal with God.
7 Instead of this, of His own free will He gave up all He had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness.
8 He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death - His death on the cross.
9 For this reason God raised Him to the highest place above and gave Him the name that is greater than any other name.
10 And so, in honor of the name of Jesus all beings in Heaven, on Earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees,
11 and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul continues to encourage harmony within the congregation emphasizing that since he is not present with them and in prison, it may behoove them to be reverent about this and that God is always present within them to do His bidding. He adds, do things without complaining and bickering so you will be blameless and sincere, the sons of God, because you are an example in a crooked and perverse nation and you shine like lights in a dark world. If you do this, you will make me proud in the day of Christ and make me feel like my efforts and hope for you were for nothing.

Christian Example - Be a Good Example Study
Be Righteous - Being a Good Example Path

Now, that's some advice that everyone can put into practice. Put that one on your refrigerator: Do all things without complaining or disputing. Maybe a few copies are necessary, one on the trash can, and one near the kitchen sink. When it's time to take out the trash, or do the dishes, read it out loud! It's not just a mundane job.

In doing such things, you're serving your family, your spouse or even yourself ... All of which are God's servants. You are an example to the rest of your family. If you complain or do things with a poor attitude, they will learn it and do the same. What about your Christian family?

What if they see you doing God's service with joy and enthusiasm, won't you be setting forth a Christ-like example? I'll have to read the rule-book again, but I'm sure you get points for that somewhere. Paul says, If you'll be a good example, you'll make me feel like I didn't run the race for nothing. He continues:

A Christian Example and Be a Good Example
How to Be Righteous - Being a Good Example

Philippians 2:17-30

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. [If I am to die for you - even then I will be glad and will share my joy with each of you.]
18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20 For I have no man likeminded [with a similar spirit], who will naturally care for your state [welfare].
21 For all seek their own [only look out for themselves], not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22 But ye know the proof of him [Timothy is a good person], that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the Gospel.
23 Him therefore I hope to send presently [soon], so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26 For he longed after you all [missed you], and was full of heaviness [sadness], because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully [eagerly], that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29 Receive [welcome] him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation [in high regard]:
30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service [what you were unable to do in person] toward me.

Christian Example / Be a Good Example Summary
Be Righteous / Being a Good Example Now

You won't want to miss our study of Chapter 3 as Paul gives a testimony of his life to the Philippians, so come on back soon and join in again, right here at Daily Bread!

Click the link below to learn to become a good example: