One of my responsibilities given to me as a Pastor by God is to be an example to those in the church on how to live the Christian life.

The apostle Peter’s instructions to pastors in 1Peter 5:3 . . .”but proving to be examples to the flock.”

Paul’s admonition to his protege Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, “in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

The problem is that there are some areas in my life that I am not a good model, not awful, just not really good. There are some things that I don’t feel comfortable saying, “do what I do.”

So, what should I do about that? The temptation is to pretend, to be a phony, to be a Pharisee.

Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

I pray every day, often several times a day, “Dear Lord, please help me to live my life so others who watch me will have a good model to follow, and Lord when I mess up help me not to be a Pharisee. Please help me to be genuine, real, and humble.