The Impact of Example

The Impact of Example

According to 1 Corinthians 4:2 what is required of the servants of the Lord?

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be foundfaithful.

  So according to this scripture we must be “found faithful” we must be made into what the Lord desires of us.  If we have faith in him this will happen quickly and the Lords work can take place.  As we know faith is the first part and “works” is next.

Corinthians 4:9–17 Who are the group specifically selected to be examples?

How does being a good example apply to more than this group?

In 1 Corinthians 4:9-17, the group that has been specifically chosen to be examples are the apostles of Jesus Christ. Being a good example does apply to more than just the apostles because when we all strive to live worthily and follow the commandments, we are being good examples to others and showing them the way back to Christ. It is extremely important to always continue to listen to the words of our prophets and of course the teachings of our Apostles so that we can take those lessons that we learn and teach others the truth of the gospel as well.

Alma 39:11–12 explains why it is not enough just to know what is right.

11 Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.

12 And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me:Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities;

It is not good enough to just know what is right but we also need to do what is right. In verse 12 it specifically states that the spirit of the Lord said "Command thy children to do good… that ye refrain from your iniquities." We cannot just believe in what our church teaches and think that will be enough to get us back to our Heavenly Father.  As we said before faith without works is dead.  Faith is the first step, but we must continue to work and act upon this faith.  We need to take what we believe and apply it in our lives in a way that we are an example of the “believers.”

3 Nephi 8:1 tells what additional power comes to those who live what they know.

1 And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a justman who did keep the record—for he truly did manymiracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity—

The additional power that comes to those who live what they know is the power to perform miracles in the name of Jesus. This is so amazing to know and I truly believe that it is possible to perform miracles when we live and obey the commandments. We have heard and seen so many times that our faithful missionaries have been able to perform miracles because of their everyday focus on the Lord and their continuous desire to help and bring others back to our Father in Heaven.