Yesterday I wrote about following the example of Jesus. If you do so, you will also be and example for others. Are you being a good example?

In the middle of scolding the Corinthians for being too worldly minded, Paul told them to follow his example: Therefore I urge you to imitate me. (1 Corinthians 4:16) And this was not an isolated instance.

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. (Philippians 3:17)

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9)  (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:1-6)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Paul commended Christians for serving as models themselves. Of course, if anyone is going to be an example, they must themselves be imitating Christ. We imitate Christ when see Him not only as a perfect model, but also as our perfect Savior. We honor Him most when we recognize that He died for our sins, making up even for our failure to model Him in what we say and do.

How did Paul imitate Christ? Sometimes he did the exact same things Jesus did.

• He went to Jerusalem knowing that imprisonment and suffering awaited him.
• He preached the Kingdom and the Word of God.
• Sometimes he quoted Jesus (Acts 20:35, 1 Cor. 7:10).

And there was also his overall attitude.

• In 1 Thessalonians he wanted the church to imitate his zeal for the Gospel and his attitude toward suffering.
• In 1 Corinthians 11 he points to his concern for the welfare of others as an example to be copied.
• In 2 Thessalonians he urges that his lack of idleness be copied.

You need to recognize that whether you like it or not, you are models: to your family, to fellow Christians, and to the unbelieveing world. I remember hearing a brother pastor talking years ago about an incident at a Youth Gathering, where a cab driver gave him too much change and he said he kept it. Not only that, but three members of his youth group witnessed it, and said, “Pastor, he gave you too much.” The pastor just laughed and tried to brush it off by saying it was good stewardship.” Where a terrible example he set for those entrusted to his care.

I try not to do that, whether anyone is watching or not. I know what God did for me in sending Jesus to pay for my sins. That is why I try to follow the example of Christ. I know I won’t always get it right, but I keep trying.

Philippians 3:12-14 ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

You need to press on toward that goal. Each of you should be able to say, or working towards being able to say, “imitate me, because I imitate Jesus.” And we imitate Jesus because we know that through his death and resurrection we have been forgiven and have eternal life.