Role Models

We all look up to someone to learn how you should live and how you should treat others. Role models or mentors can range from your parents to people you have never met in real life, to your friends. J.R.R. Tolkien was C.S. Lewis' role model, Emerson was Thoreau's mentor, and Thomas Jefferson mentored Meriwether Lewis. I see my parents and family, the adults that I go to church with, my friends, and even Christians from history as role models; Jesus Christ is of course the perfect role model because He is perfect. Many people look up to celebrities or athletes as role models, many of whom are not good role models.

The Bible can help you to determine who is a good role model and who is not. Psalms 1:1-3 says, "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers."

This passage speaks volumes about how role models should act. A good role model abstains from sinful actions and evildoers to the best of their abilities. They avoid mocking the Lord, and they seek to do good in the eyes of God, as Christ did. There are other Biblical passages that speak about role models or how to live like one:

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2)

"But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin,    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”" (1 Peter 2:20-22)

"Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." (1 John 3:15-16)

As followers of Christ we are supposed to set an example for non-Christians, not because we are better but because God instructs us to. Titus 2:7-8 says, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us." Further, Matthew 5:14-16 instructs us in a similar way, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." The last verse I'm going to use is 2 Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

If you know me personally, then you probably know that I'm conservative in religion and politics. My reasoning behind being so conservative is to be a good role model for others. It's not that I want people to be like me, but I have had people tell me that they look up to me for being strong. I don't think I'm any stronger than the average person, I'm just a guy living with a disease; plenty of people have problems, well everyone does, that they live with. Some disabled people think it's offensive that people look up to them for dealing with a disease, but it's not offensive, it's humbling. God has put me in great position to share the Good News and I need to do so because I know how many things He has done for me. I make mistakes all of the time, so I know I'm not a perfect role model by any means. In summation:"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

As I mentioned earlier, many celebrities are not good role models: an example of a bad celebrity role model is Alec Baldwin. I am not denying his acting ability, I used to watch 30 Rock and I've seen a few movies with him in them, I am, however, pointing out that he is a bad role model. Baldwin is known to let his anger get the best of him. The most recent example of his temper: in May of this year Baldwin was arrested in New York City. He was stopped by two policemen for riding his bicycle the wrong way down the road, the policemen asked him for his ID. Baldwin became belligerent at that point and was arrested. This is not the only example of his temper, there are others. I'm not insinuating that I'm superior to him, but I am pointing out that he is setting a bad example for his audience.

"He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other." -Francis Bacon