Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
April 18, 2001 John Gipson
Merely By Living
The sentence leaped off the page and grabbed me by the collar. “It is not abstractions but persons who most deeply influence us.”
I know it’s true in my life. Whether one is talking about love or loyalty, earnestness or steadfastness, virtue or courage, compassion or kindness-whatever it be-I tend to think of people; people I want to be like.
It’s not abstractions, but fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, friends and Christians, teachers and students who mold and shape me. They do not have to be rich or famous, educated or articulate. It’s their character which grants them power over me: a teacher whose studious habits and deep devotion challenged me by example; a dearly departed friend who was never satisfied with just being adequate; a preacher who has taken care of his wife for years; an elder who truly cared for the flock; a dying lady who would not miss worship services; and, the litany could go on and on.
W. M. Taylor said, “Influence is the exhalation of character.” That he was right I do not doubt, for who has held more influence over the world than Jesus Christ? Obviously, Christ did more for us than just set an example, but what an example it was. And, oh, how it affects the life of every Christian! “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3.18)
The English novelist and dramatist, Lytton Bulwer, long ago observed, “A good man does good merely by living.” Amen to that!
JOHN GIPSON
Little Rock, Ark.
