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Be Influenced by Godly People D. Massimiliano Lorenzini All Scripture quotations taken from the King James Bible unless otherwise indicated. As Christians we should all strive to become like Jesus, but sometimes it seems impossible. Referencing from other godly Christians can be a great encouragement because they are sinners like we are and this helps us relate to them a bit more. Since I've become a Christian there have been many people who have influenced my life and been a reference for me. But one stands out above the rest. The apostle Paul has been a significant influence in my life because of the practical example he is to me. Let me show you four reasons why. Whenever I am experiencing a trial in my life I can always reference from the way Paul handled his. He endured more numerous and more severe trials than I have and this is what he says about it in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." The description of Paul's reaction when he was thrown in prison at Philippi shows me how he handled trials. Acts 16:25 says, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." What Paul says and does about trials teaches me to endure them and give praise to God because it will work out for my good and His glory in the end. His doctrine and theology have been a standard for me, especially since he says in Galatians 1:12, "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Whenever I want to know about a certain topic I can always reference from Paul's teaching and life because he was taught by Jesus. Paul's method of ministry is a great example for me to follow. He was the first missionary to take the gospel to the gentile world and he made a tremendous impact through his ministry of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. In Titus 1:3 he says, "...God...hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is commited unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." In 2 Timothy 2:2 he says to his disciple Timothy, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." And in Titus 1:5 he says to another one of his disciples, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." These passages show me that Paul's method of ministry was preaching, making reproducing disciples, and planting churches by appointing leaders in the different churches he established. Lastly, and most importantly, his love for people is a wonderful example for me to follow. He always named people in his epistles, as in Romans 16:1-16. A few of them were Priscilla, Aquila, Epaetenus, Mary, Androcinus, Junia and many, many others. He became very close to those he ministered to as Acts 20:36-38 says that the Christians in Ephesus, "wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, sorrowing...that they should see his face no more." He also wrote the great passage on love in 1 Corinthians 13 that says if you don't have love you are nothing. Paul, then, is a man who is important to me because of his example of how he endured trials, his doctrine and theology, his method of ministry, and his love for people. Virtues that I hope to duplicate by God's grace. As you read the Bible or biographies of great Christians, perhaps there are some people you have found that are a great influence and reference for you. Hebrews chapter 11, also known as the faith's hall of fame, lists many godly people and concludes in 12:1,2a by saying: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (NKJV)

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