FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE

Philippians 3:17 (AMPC) Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.

Paul told us to follow his example.  He wasn’t the first.  We are told to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1).  We know Jesus was all the time telling people to follow Him.  He told people to follow Him and let the dead bury the dead. He told a tax collector to leave it all and follow Him.  He told us to take up our cross and follow Him. He said that if the disciples would follow Him, He would make them fishers of men.  Right before Jesus went to the cross, He washed the disciple’s feet, and He told them this was an example for them to follow.  He showed us by example how the greater serves the lesser.  We are all supposed to serve one another.  1 Perter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were you called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps.” It is very clear that Jesus is our example first and foremost, but then Paul begins to say that he too is an example to follow.

In making people disciples and not just hearers and learners, I have found that they have to have someone to follow, someone to show them how to do it.  It is like at work, someone can tell you how to do it, but it goes much better if they not only tell you but show you how to do it.  The best way to train is to tell them, show them (be an example), do it with them and then, let them do it on their own; guide them until they have it.  Then, one day they will be able to teach and be the example for others also.  1 Corinthians 11:1 says, “Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  We need to follow people as they follow Christ.  Also, people need to be able to follow you as you follow Christ.  We are the example.  People will duplicate behavior more than doing what someone tells them to do.  Your children are a great illustration of this.  They literally pick up things that we do around them all the time, even those things you tell them not to do they will do because you are their example.  Let’s be a godly example like Paul.  People are watching you, seeing if you are the real deal, not perfect, but someone they could follow.  I am always reminded of King David in the Cave of Addulam; they didn’t come to follow a future king, they came to follow a giant killer.  David turned those who were in debt and discontented men into his group of “Mighty Men.”  He did it, not through instruction, but by being their example.  Be the example!