There are a lot of templates for living out there. There are secular camps that promise better things and ways to “self-actualize.” There are Christian resources that promise spiritual change. Mixed in with wise counsel, there can be a lot of brokenness. I take comfort that this isn’t a new issue for believers- there has always been a struggle for truth and Godly examples. The apostle Paul speaks openly about this several times in his letters to the churches.
“I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.” 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (ESV).
The Apostle’s words are full of genuine concern. They don’t have many fathers and he urges them to follow his example, as he follows Christ. While the church today obviously hasn’t experienced that face to face relationship that Paul fostered between the Corinthians and Timothy- we still have their example written in the pages of scripture. As a child imitates their father, the church as a body (over the ages) has been encouraged to follow in the footsteps of the apostles. We find this encouragement again in Philippians:
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (ESV).
There is a lot of focus put on what Christians should avoid (and it is right to know where the boundaries are). The biblical authors themselves, in the New Testament, wrote many warnings about specific things to stay away (or run away!) from (Ephesians 5:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18). Here we see the other side of the coin, what to do and how to live. The ultimate example we are to follow is found in the person of Jesus Christ. As Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (ESV). The apostle Paul urges those in the church to follow his footsteps as he follows the Lord. Just as the early church gained wisdom through the example of the apostle Paul, so can we!
The bedrock of the apostles’ example is faith in Christ and citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Paul lays out a clear path his letter to the church in Philippi, contrasting those who should not be followed and those who are worthy of imitation.
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
What are some characteristics of those not worthy of imitation?
-They walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
-Their god is their belly (focused on pleasure).
-They glory in what God has declared to be shameful.
-Their minds are set on earthly things.
In contrast, who are we to, “keep our eyes on?”
-Those who walk according to the example set by the apostles themselves!
Paul immediately begins reminding the church who they are in Christ. Remembering who we are is important when evaluating any example. The very first thing he points to is our citizenship in Heaven and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope fundamentally shifts away from worldly hope, to Christ centered hope, when we believe in the Son of God. Our spiritual citizenship changes from the kingdom of darkness, to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). Next, their eyes are encouraged to look to the hope of the resurrection and the power of Christ! These are the fundamental hopes we share with the ancient believers and early church. Today, we still carry these in our hearts. Not only does the truth of the gospel set us free, place us in the Kingdom of God, and allow us into fellowship with the Father through the Holy Spirit- carrying the truth of who we are (our citizenship!) makes us careful consumers.
Who wants your following, your attention, and your imitation?
We see the relationship between our identity and the people we imitate clearly laid out again in Ephesians 5.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 5:1-2 (ESV).
As beloved children of God, we will seek to follow the example of Christ! Our citizenship in Heaven, our identity as a child of God, and the hope we have for eternity should determine the examples we follow.
This topic was important to the apostle Paul- important enough that he wrote to the churches about it on more than one occasion. May we bring those templates, examples, and influencers before the Lord and seek His wisdom on whose example we follow!
Questions:
- How can a believer recognize a worldly example that goes against their identity in Christ?
- What role does discernment and prayer play in determining who we should look up to or follow?
- What are some Biblical examples of men and women who allowed their hearts to be influenced, either toward righteousness or away from the Lord?
