Give Me An Example
When we have a quest for learning something, we all like an example we can pattern after. I am a visual learner, and I can remember much more of what I have seen than what I have heard. I have always liked illustrations when listening to a lecture. When someone is teaching me about how to do something I want to talk to someone who has been successful at the task. I’m one of those who wants to know the what-ifs. What if I’m making a garment and the stitching doesn’t look right, how do I adjust the stitching? If I am painting a picture, how do I make the water appear as if I can almost feel the wetness if I touched it? I need a visual before I start a task. In Philippians 3:17, Paul encourages this kind of thinking in our Christian lives. He first uses himself as our example. He had been one who put much confidence in the flesh before his salvation experience. After his conversion, he had renounced everything of his past and placed all his confidence in Christ. He was an example to follow because he was following Christ. However, Paul knew he may never see those in the church of Philippi again. He writes in this letter for them to find those in the church and “mark them.” To mark them meant to observe them, with the intent to learn from them and imitate them.
Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.”
Paul understood the value of mentoring. He wanted them to pick out members of the church that modeled Christlike behavior and follow their pattern. Whether we realize it or not, we each become a lot like the people we are with most of the time. Usually, those we spend time with are those with which we have a lot in common. Paul is teaching them the common denominator for relationships in their lives should be Jesus Christ. We are to do the same. Watch those in your congregation who have character traits like Jesus.
First, look for their faithfulness. Find someone who never misses church unless prohibited by things beyond their control. When they do miss, pay attention to why they miss. Were they sick, so sick that they couldn’t leave the house except to go to the doctor? If they are out of town on Sunday, do they seek to find a church to worship with other believers? If this is the case, they are the type of Christian that doesn’t put others or things above their worship of God.
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Second, is it obvious they have spent time with the Lord in prayer and study? Are their actions biblical? A person who has spent time with the Lord will be merciful to others. They will act with kindness and compassion. They will abstain from things that are a reproach to the cause of Christ. They will seek to be holy as He is holy. Their desire is to please Christ in all they do.
It affects what they watch on TV, what they look at on their computer, what they listen to in their car or wherever.
Psalms 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
It affects how they react to others. They will not jump to conclusions or get angry quickly and spew off unkind words. Their concern is more for the other person’s feelings than for their own personal desires.
James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Their speech will be above reproach. They will seek to encourage and build up others. This is not words of flattery, but they will seek out the good in others.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Colossians 3:8 “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Third, they will be concerned about lost souls. There will be a passion for those who do not know Christ. Because they understand those who die without Christ will spend eternity in Hell, there will be an urgency to win others to Christ.
II Corinthians 5:11“Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
The responsibility of other’s souls weighs heavy on their hearts.
Ezekiel 33:8 “When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”
A godly example will be a humble person. They understand they are nothing on their own. It is only by God’s grace that they are saved from the wrath of Hell. This humility is not false humility but shows itself in actions of selflessness. They think nothing about how things will affect their personal well-being or advancement, but their thought process is geared to what pleases and honors God.
I Corinthians 10:31-33 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
This was how Paul operated his personal life. It is why he could say to follow him. His goal was to follow Christ so closely that he would be imitating Christ. This should also be our goal! We are to be an example to others.
I Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
Have you picked out someone to follow? Are you being this kind of follower of Jesus? It’s time we take a long look in the mirror and those we are following. It is time we see everyone as a soul in need of a Savior, and ourselves as a Christian that will give an answer for those God placed in our path to win. The best example is Jesus himself, seek to be like Him and you can say as Paul, “be followers together of me.”
