Everyone likes to live his or her own life and not be concerned with what other people think. In fact, you may even live your life with the attitude that you are going to do what you want and not care what others think. This attitude has with it a “live and let live” mentality that totally disregards the attitude of others. There is something to be said for this way of living. The opposite way of thinking that you are responsible for how others view your life and base their lives upon your behavior must also be considered. This balance is something that every Christian struggles with and must come to grips with personally.
The fact remains that there are some people who will observe your behavior as a Christian and base their actions appropriately. The Lord taught that our behavior certainly does matter, and that if we cause someone with lesser faith to stumble, then we are held accountable. You have heard the statement—You are the best Christian someone knows. And Peter Holmes takes that statement and made it a little more personable when he said, “My life helps paint my neighbor’s picture of God.” That being said, along with what the Lord taught about personal accountability, you have to come to the conclusion that the way you live your life really does matter. You cannot live with the attitude of you doing your own thing and not caring what others think. You do not live to please others, but at the same time you are responsible for your actions.
The main focus of your life must be to be pleasing to God first. When you live your life that is pleasing to God, then your ways will be pleasing to Him and you will be the example you should be to others around you. Galatians 2:20 gives you good instruction as to the correct way to keep all this in balance—“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.” In other words, live your life pleasing to God Himself, not pleasing to yourself.
Yep, you are following footsteps not your footsteps or a human example but following the footsteps of Jesus. There is no other example better to follow than Jesus. Start today!
