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Evaluating Human Examples for Biblical Alignment and Integrity

Believers are called to evaluate human examples, including their own conduct, against biblical standards of integrity and righteousness. This evaluation involves self-examination and comparison to the ultimate example of Christ [7, 9].

The concept of integrity is frequently mentioned in scripture. Job, for instance, appeals to God to "weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity" [2]. Similarly, the Psalmist asks the Lord to judge him "according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me" [4]. This suggests an internal consistency and uprightness that God observes and evaluates [5, 11].

The primary standard for evaluating human examples is the "words and example of Christ" [7]. Jesus is presented as the perfect example in various aspects of life:

This evaluation is not merely a comparison with other individuals, but a direct assessment against Christ's perfect standard [7]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Galatians 6:4, emphasizes that "The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard" [7].

Self-examination is a crucial component of this evaluation. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "examine himself" [9]. This involves assessing one's faith in the Lord Jesus and understanding the significance of Christ's sacrifice [9]. The Psalmist also invites God to "Examine me, O Lord... and prove me; try my reins and my heart" [5]. This suggests a deep internal scrutiny, testing one's thoughts, desires, and affections against God's standards, much like gold and silver are tried in a furnace [5].

The purpose of this examination is to ensure that one's actions and character are "acceptable unto the Lord" [8]. This includes actions that align with God's will, are done in faith, and are directed toward His glory [8]. While human examples can illustrate aspects of righteousness, they are always partial and imperfect when compared to Christ [6]. The "just man" in Ezekiel, for example, is described in terms of his avoidance of the specific sins prevalent in his age, indicating that even righteous human examples are shaped by their particular contexts and temptations [10]. Therefore, while human examples can be instructive, the ultimate benchmark remains the flawless example of Christ.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  2. Job “Job 31:6 (BSB) — let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 7:8 — The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.”
  5. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:2: Examine me, O Lord,.... His cause, his integrity, and trust in the Lord, as silver and gold are examined by the touchstone, the word of God, which is the standard of faith and practice; and prove me; or "tempt me" (r); as Abraham was tempted by the Lord; and his faith in him, and fear of him, and love to him, were proved to be true and genuine; try my reins and my heart; the thoughts, desires, and affections of it, as gold and silver are tried in the furnace; and so God sometimes tries the faith and patience of his people by afflictive providences; and this examin”
  6. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 13:9: in part--partially and imperfectly. Compare a similar contrast to the "perfect man," "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph 4:11-13).”
  7. Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
  8. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 11:28: Let a man examine himself - Let him try whether he has proper faith in the Lord Jesus; and whether he discerns the Lord's body; and whether he duly considers that the bread and wine point out the crucified body and spilt blood of Christ.”
  10. Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 18:5: Here begins the illustration of God's impartiality in a series of supposed cases. The first case is given in Eze 18:5-9, the just man. The excellencies are selected in reference to the prevailing sins of the age, from which such a one stood aloof; hence arises the omission of some features of righteousness, which, under different circumstances, would have been desirable to be enumerated. Each age has its own besetting temptations, and the just man will be distinguished by his guarding against the peculiar defilements, inward and outward, of his age. ”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 26:1: Judge me, O Lord,.... Meaning not that God would enter into judgment with him, in respect to the justification of his person in his sight, which he knew was not by his own righteousness and integrity, but by the righteousness of God; but his view is, to the justification of his cause before men; and particularly to the difference between Saul and him; and entreats that God would interpose, take his cause in hand, judge between them, and vindicate him; for I have walked in mine integrity; or "perfection" (o) not that he thought himself free from sin; this would be co”
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