Follow My Example
The things 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)
In the 3rd chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us about the goal of his life and regarding that goal he says, Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vs. 13-14). Then in verse 17, he urges the Philippians to join in following him as an example. Paul lays out the conduct of his life as a child of God for all to examine and confident that it has been and is in accord with the will of God, urges others to imitate his example (1 Cor. 11:1).
The thought echoes through my mind, that you and I should be living our lives in such conformity to God's will that we can say to others, live as I do as I follow Christ. This is in no way an effort to exercise some kind of dominion over others. It is not a statement of pride or boasting on our part. It is simply an effort to urge others to follow Christ in doctrine and practice the same way we follow him. Our lives should serve as an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12, Phil. 4:8 Eph. 4:17-32). I, for one, believe that you and I must have confidence in our life as a child of God so that we can truthfully encourage others to follow our example (1 Cor. 4:16) Perhaps all of us would do well to stop for a moment and ask, just what do others learn, receive, hear and see in us. Others being family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even strangers we encounter from time to time.
Do "others" see strength in our lives because we stand firm on the truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness with our feet shod with the gospel of peace, holding up the shield of faith, having on the helmet of salvation and carrying the sword of the spirit which is the word of God (Eph. 6:10-17)?
Do "others" see: Christ reigning supreme in our hearts, molding our thoughts and guiding our lives every step of the way on this side of eternity (Mark 12:30, Psalms 16:1, Psalms 62:8); do "others" see purpose in our life (Dan. 1:8, Acts 11:23, 2 Tim. 3:10); do "others" see prayer, bible study and commitment in our life (Phil. 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:17, Matt. 6:33, 1 Cor. 15:58, James 2:18-20).
Do "others" see the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in us (Gal. 5:22-23)? Do "others" see us adding to our faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. Bottom line, do "others" see us giving diligence to make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:4-11).
Well, it is time to ask the question, Is the conduct of my spiritual life such that I can, with confidence, tell others to do what they learn, receive, hear and see in me? If we cannot answer in the affirmative, then if we should die in the next moment, not only would we lose our soul but many of the "others" of our life would lose their soul as well. Just one man's opinion.
Charles Hicks
