The Word This Week – WHICH ROLE MODEL WOULD YOU TAKE ON?

10 Feb by Rev Dr Jai Kumar –

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV).

“Everything is permissible”-but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”-but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others”

A role model is a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others. Many of us look for role models to inspire and motivate us and supposedly these role models have undoubtedly experienced and walked the path that we are going through right now except that they have reached there before us. When you follow a good role model in your life it makes you secured and purpose driven. You become an emotionally matured and culturally enriched human being.

WATCH OUT FOR GOOD ROLE MODELS

Sometimes it’s crucial, to check out on whom our role models may be! Because role models impact and influence our lives in the long run! You know what? Your role model will shape your conduct! Your role model will shape your character! And at the end of the day, your character will shape your God-given destiny! You bet your life, you will ultimately become like the role model that you look up to.

However, a good role model will get you moving in the right direction. You need people who will bring out the best in you and encourage and challenge you to reach higher in life focusing beyond your mentor.. People who can see things through God’s lens and God’s perspective and can speak the awesome word of God into your life with such power and anointing that the blessings may begin to flow through you. Therefore, your decision is to rethink seriously who you would allow to get close to you because such a decision is crucial as it involves your future destiny.

Acts 10:26

“I am….only a man, no different from you”

I believe people who are role models need to be aware that they carry a great responsibility whether they like it or not. Because it is their behaviour that people look up to. It is their leadership qualities that others want to see and model.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

Unfortunately some role models are disappointing because they are not what they appear to be at the end of the day. You can say a thousand things with your lips but if your life shows a different picture then people are not going to follow you; people are not going to trust you.

Luke 6:43-44

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit…….’

ENEMY TARGETS MAN’S CHARACTER

The enemy hates your character because it’s created in the image and likeness of God and he will deploy every tool to bring down this character..One thing that needs to be taken into account is that blind spots and character flaws are prevalent in all human beings because of our fallen nature. The greatest tool the enemy will use to destroy you is “temptation” because he knows if he can get you in this area he can take over your life.

I wonder if you have realised that all men are initially honest—until they fall into temptation which results in dishonesty. Temptations from without have no power unless there is a corresponding desire from within. You can’t see how weak a bridge is until it gives way and collapses. Neither can you see the flaw in a person’s character until flawed desires meet temptation. In other words, conviction only comes through testings. A sign of leadership maturity is to understand the necessity to flee evil. Although, it is not always easy to flee, because you don’t know who’s knocking at your door—opportunity or temptation.

Many role models have been ignorantly foolish by parading their arrogant freedom before others in an effort to boast how knowledgable they are only to tread on dangerous grounds by exposing their immaturity: “actions speak louder than words”. Benjamin Franklin said “Well done is better than well said”.” Let this mindset be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”( Phillipians 2:5 )

EXEMPLARY OF PAUL AS A ROLE MODEL

Paul’s knowledge of God led him to lead a disciplined life for the benefit of others as well. Paul displayed extreme humility contrary to his previous life. He constantly described himself as “not good enough to be called an apostle,” He said it’s only by God’s grace that has made him what he was! Not his background! Nor his intellectualised mentality. (1Cor 15:9-10) A good role model or mentor will always mirror Paul’s humility. He will never allow you to be another carbon copy of himself.

Paul was supremely an example to others as an apostle who “walked the talk”, he practiced what he preached. He was always mirroring Christ in him. He lived a life reflecting the love of God overflowing in him genuinely. He indeed was a good role model to others. He was always alert and careful that he would not be defeated as a role model at the end of the day. So much so he says:

1 Corinthians 9:19, 24-27

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible . . . ………..Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (NIV).

ITS DANGEROUS TO HERO WORSHIP SOMEONE

Nevertheless, it’s good to look up to your mentor sometimes; it may even be wise to seek their advice at some point. But you know what? It can become dangerous when you lose your focus and start to hero-worship them. When you over emphasize and you start emulating somebody beyond a certain level you tend to lose sight of your real Maker. Many lives have been destroyed today because we have allowed the spirit of deception to blind us and drag us away from the actual focus on God. Instead, we build an image of people inside us. At the end of the day we end up deceived and disappointed because people will always let you down as you overemphasise their importance in you. Man’s system will always fail you, but God’s system will always sustain you.

Peter was an example too when Cornelius sent for him. The moment Peter entered the door, Cornelius was down on his face worshiping him. How did Peter react? He pulled him up and said: “I am only a man, no different from you.”. What humility displayed.

YOU ARE A UNIQUE CREATION OF GOD

The consequence and danger in looking up to somebody, trying to copy that person can end up losing your individuality designed by God and high jacking God’s destiny for your life! You are a unique creation in the image of God. Your DNA is so unique that no two people can be the same. Seven billion people in the world will not have the same finger print as you!

You know what? Each of us is destined to perform our own journey in this life. We need to understand that not everybody can fit into you to become your role model. Some people do not belong to your journey! Some people do not fit into your boat!

Have you ever observed, an outfit which may look very beautiful and great on somebody but the same clothes may look horrible on you? That’s because you are a unique individual! God has created you so special in His sight!

THERE IS NO GREATER ROLE MODEL THAN JESUS

You know what? We don’t have to look up or copy somebody because no role model in the entire-universe can replace the One role model – that Sinless Soul who had no character flaws or blind spots – the son of God -Jesus who gave Himself for us all! Listen! When you are prepared to make Jesus your reference point and copy Him, I assure you, that you are on safe ground.

Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is also the representative of Faith International Bible School for Malaysia & Singapore. He is the founder and senior pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL, a member of ECCM, Spiritual Adviser & overseer of Full Gospel Christian Church KL. Co-founder and adviser of Kingdom Christian Fellowship, Subang Jaya, he is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’