The cab of this truck, containing both the driver and engine, had everything required to navigate and power the vehicle had made the turn successfully. If the cab had not been connected to the trailer it would have continued on its path with no trouble whatsoever. In fact, if the trailer had not been attached, this cab would not have even required an extra wide turn. But because of the attachment of the trailer that followed behind, extra care must be taken and had been unsuccessful in this case.
As
we continued down the road past the scene, the words in the book of James came to mind. “Not many [of you] should become
teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for
you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other
people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].” (James 3:1
AMP) When members
of the body of Christ take on a role of teaching or mentoring others, the
responsibility of how they conduct their own lives is heightened. It becomes
important to not only look to oneself in making decisions, but you consider
those who are observing and patterning themselves after one’s teaching. People
follow not only the teaching but also the vehicle through which the teaching
comes.
Jesus teaches that the correct path is
narrow. “Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and
spacious and broad is the way
that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to
life, and few are those who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14
AMP) We must carefully navigate our lives to
stay on this path. Leading others, we must show great care to help then remain
on this path as well. There are ditches on either side of this path and it is
critical we not allow any to fall into them. With great care, by following
Christ’s example, all can stay on this narrow path.
As
believers we are all called to look to the needs of others. “For
although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond
servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].” (1
Corinthians 9:19 AMP) Living to a higher standard may be required of us. We must not
allow our own freedom in Jesus Christ to cause another believer to be hurt in
their faith. Discussing a problem that was causing difficulty for the first
century church, the apostle Paul wrote “So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for
harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.
You must not, for the sake of food, undo and
break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially]
clean and pure, but it is wrong
for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats. The right thing is to eat
no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your
brother stumble or hurts his
conscience or offends or
weakens him.” (Romans
14:19-21 AMP)
Created in the image of God, Christians
become representative of Him to this world. The best way to portray this image
is by imitating Him. “Therefore be imitators of God [copy
Him and follow His example], as
well-beloved children [imitate their father].” (Ephesians 5:1 AMP) Then as we
lead we can say with the apostle Paul, “Pattern yourselves after me
[follow my example], as I imitate and
follow Christ (the Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP)
Live each day as though others are
watching and following you. Follow Jesus and lead well!
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