Follow My Example
“Join in following my example.” Now that is a confident invitation for a Christian to offer, yet one that should be easy enough. But would you dare? It depends, of course, on the manner of your life.
Paul told the believers in Philippi, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” In Philippians 3:17-21, we have three statements on the perspective that God expects us to have of this sin-cursed, dying world. First, we are models of the Christian way of life, vv. 17-19. Those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord have their minds focused on earthly, temporal things. They live as if everything ends with death, exhausting themselves in satisfying fleshly desires. Lust for pleasure of all kinds is what drives a person who doesn’t have a personal relationship with God through Christ. In contrast, the Lord wants His children to live as if they were preparing for another life—an eternal life! Second, we are citizens of another place, v. 20a. Once a person receives Christ as personal Savior and Lord, his citizenship is transferred to heaven. Christians are living in this world as aliens, representing Jesus. We are here to serve Him, always ready to move on. That means we should travel light regarding this world’s goods. Third, we are awaiting Christ’s return, vv. 20b-21. While we serve, we are called to keep our eyes focused on Christ’s return to pick us up and take us to be where He is. It is then that we will have these worn out earth suits transformed into imperishable bodies like His own. Until then, believers are to conduct themselves in a manner that allows them to confidently say to others, “Follow my example.”
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.