Will They Use You as an E.G.G.?
E.G.
We’ve all used the letters "e.g." when giving an
example in our writing. But ever wonder what they stand for? They
abbreviate the Latin words exempli gratia, which when translated,
roughly mean "for the sake of an example;" as in: "I don’t like the
coffee in cafe franchises; e.g. Starbucks" for "I don’t like the coffee
in cafe franchises; Starbucks, for the sake of an example." The letters
"e.g." are used so frequently in writing because examples are themselves
frequently used; being the same even in speech.
Jesus Used E.G.s
When Jesus was on earth, he often used examples so
that the people could understand his teachings. We see it in the
parables. When Jesus gave the parable of the sower, it was an example of
the truth he wanted to convey – that the seed, being an example of the
Word of God, can only grow and bear fruits when it falls on good soil,
being an example of a believing heart.
Jesus did this many times in his ministry, speaking
about the prodigal son, the rich farmer, and the hidden treasure, etc.
One reason why Jesus taught by examples was to reveal the truth to some
and hide the truth from others. But perhaps another reason why he used
examples was because people learn by example and not by precepts or
instruction alone. Examples are like pictures and illustrations – they
speak a thousand words.
And the Word of God, in instructing us to be holy,
gives us examples of holiness, that we might follow them.
Paul and Timothy Were Good E.G.s
In our quest to be instructed and sanctified, we are
to follow godly examples. Paul told Timothy to be an example to the
believers. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity." Paul himself told the Corinthian church to be followers of him.
1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of
Christ." The word "followers" literally means to mimic. He was telling
the Corinthian church to imitate what he did.
Naturally, Paul and Timothy would’ve taught and
instructed the people how to live holy lives, but they themselves were
worthy examples of the Scripture that they preached. So when Paul asked
the people to follow him, he was saying that he was a living example.
But a living example of what? They were examples of
God’s grace. Once Paul was a persecutor and a hater of Christians, who
desired nothing else but to be honored. However, when the grace of God
worked in him, he was changed to one who desired all things Christ’s.
They weren’t just examples, but they were examples of grace working in
their lives.
The Pharisees and Scribes Were Bad E.G.s
And if there were examples of grace, there were also
examples of disgrace. In Matthew 23:2-3, Jesus speaking to the
multitudes and to his disciples said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit
in Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that
observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do
not."
The Pharisees and scribes were men who were learned
in the Word of God. But their knowledge of the Word didn’t bear fruit in
their lives – they hadn’t experienced the in workings of grace in their
lives. And though much of what they taught concerning the Moral Law was
still valid, they themselves didn’t practice it. And here, Jesus warned
the people of these Bible teachers who didn’t practice what they
preached, and their example was to be disregarded.
As much as Paul and Timothy’s lives were to be
examples to learn from, the Pharisees and Scribes were examples from
whom we ought not to learn, even though their teaching was to be kept.
In other words, Jesus told the people to retain the words and disdain
the works.
So what examples of the Pharisees’ works did Jesus
want the people to disdain? Here are a few:
Fault Finding
In Mark 7:20, we see that when they saw some of
Jesus’ disciples eating bread with unwashed hands, they found fault.
These Pharisees were hard men, always looking for fault, especially in
Jesus. They couldn’t see the weightier matters of the law, such as
faith, mercy, and justice. They found fault wherever they went – they
became the moral standard for what was right. This speaks of their zeal
without knowledge.
Uncompassionate and Impatient
In Matthew 23:4, we see that these Pharisees and
Scribes put heavy moral burdens on the people, but they themselves
wouldn’t lift a finger to help them. There are those by reason of
infirmity and immaturity who don’t understand certain Scriptural
principles – such as the holiness of the Sabbath, Christian liberty, etc
– things which take time to be taught. But the Pharisees would have had
no tolerance for failure. This speaks of their lack of compassion and
patience.
Jealous
In Matthew 23:13, we see that Jesus leveled an
invective against them, accusing them of shutting up the kingdom of
heaven against men, preventing others from believing the gospel. They
did everything they could to prevent men from coming to Christ – the
only way to God, doing their best by keeping them from following him.
This speaks of their jealousy and their pride – that they would be
promoted rather than Christ.
Hypocrisy
In Matthew 6:5, Jesus instructed the multitudes not
to pray as the Pharisees, who prayed to be seen. This speaks of their
covetousness and hypocrisy. And since their true spiritual works were
really deficient, they had to assert themselves in other ways.
It’s sad when those who stand for the Word of God and
profess to be of God don’t always do the works of God. What’s the use of
believing and teaching the Word of God when you don’t allow it to work
in you and you manifest the grace of God?
The Unbelieving World Looks for E.G.s
Because we’re Christian, the world looks at us
differently, expecting us to be better than they. And because of their
expectations, they will tolerate less from us than from others – we’re
held to a higher standard. How we often hear that people don’t want to
become Christians because all Christians are hypocrites. Naturally, we
ARE hypocrites – only Christ is not. But certainly, we’re to live
according to the standard of God’s Word – not simply by preaching but by
doing.
And if we don’t, then all our words to them about
Christ will fall on deaf ears. We may lament how hard it is and that
we’re trying to live godly lives in Christ Jesus and to be examples unto
others. But trying is not enough – we must BE examples. Even one of
their own prophets said, "Do, or do not. There is no try." But what’s
more is that we will be examples when we don’t resist the working of
God’s grace in our lives. And it’ll be in our lives and examples that
people see Christ.
In John 14:10,11, Jesus told Philip, "Believest thou
not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I
speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in
me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the
Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake." Christ
himself said that his works proved his deity. And our examples will
prove the truth of the Gospel. Brethren, how hard are we working on our
Christian example? Are we examples of God’s grace?
Exempli Gratiae Gratia (E.G.G.)
But instead of being mere examples, let us be
examples of God’s grace. What will people say of us? "In my block, there
are many kind and genuine Christians; e.g.g. Mr John" – "In my block,
there are many kind and genuine Christians; Mr John, for the sake of an
example of grace."
God puts us in places where we can be examples of
God’s grace. It may not always be the way of our choosing that God uses,
but that’s where God wants us to shine for him. There was the example of
Jim Eliot who ministered to the Auca Indians. He lived among them,
taught them, and befriended them – doing nothing but good among them.
But shortly after contact and with a short lived ministry, the Auca
Indians murdered him. They, of course, were motivated by superstition.
But years after through the ministry and example of his wife, Elizabeth,
the Auca Indians believed.
Listen to what he said at the age of 22 – "I see
tonight that in spiritual work, if nowhere else, the character of the
worker decides the quality of the work. Shelley and Byron may be moral
free-lancers and still write good poetry. Wagner may be lecherous as a
man, and still produce fine music, but it cannot be so in any work for
God. Paul could refer to his own character and manner of living for
proof of what he was saying to the Thessalonians. Nine times over in the
first epistle he says, ‘Ye know,’ referring to the Thessalonians
first-hand observation of Paul’s private as well as public life. Paul
went to Salonica and lived a life that more than illustrated what he
preached; it went beyond illustration to convincing proof. No wonder so
much work in the Kingdom today is shoddy – look at the moral character
of the worker."
You see, there is a link between your true moral
character and example with your ministry as a believer to unbelievers.
Another marvelous example is Robert Murray M’cheyne. He said, "I feel
there are two things it is impossible to desire with sufficient ardor –
personal holiness, and the honor of Christ in the salvation of souls."
And indeed, it was this inseparable combination of holiness and
preaching that characterized his ministry. His example is a sobering one
and a rebuking one (especially to this writer) – he died at the age of
29 with many works to show. And that was an answer to his plea that he
wrote in a hymn – "Chosen not for good in me, Wakened up from wrath to
flee, Hidden in the Savior’s side, By the Spirit sanctified, Teach me
Lord on earth to show, By my love how much I owe."
What is our example? The world is longing to see a
Christ revealing life. How will the Lord speak of us to those we parent,
teach, lead, and reach out to? Will he say to them to follow what we
teach but not what we do? Will our actions and example speak of a fault
finding zeal? Will they speak of a lack of compassion and patience? Will
they speak of our jealousy and pride? Will they speak of our
covetousness and hypocrisy? Or will they speak of how they can see God’s
hand in our lives? May the Lord be merciful to all of us, that others
might speak of us and use us as e.g.g.s. —MC
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