17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Many people seem to set a good example for us to follow. This world is full of idols and people we look up to. They can be musicians, poets, movie stars, and even pastors. We much be careful to not put these people on a pedestal. Think about who we look to for examples in life.
We look to how sports athletes are on the ice or on the court. We should be looking to the study habits of a man like Piper. The discipline of Macarthur. The fire and enthusiasm to serve like Mahaney. These people are trying to serve Christ with their lives. But are we able to look at those around us in the same way? These three men named are “big” names in the Christian faith, whatever that means. Can we not find this dedication in our own churches? Can you find a man who devotes seemingly endless hours to studying God’s Word? Can you find a man who spends countless hours in prayer for the body? Can you find a man who has the discipline to serve even when it is difficult for that person to get out of bed in the morning? These people are all around us, we need to recognize that.
Paul is talking about that in these verses above. Who should we intimidate in the Church? The very men spoke about; the ones devoted to prayer, discipline, and study. Why? Why should we imitate these men? Because they are simply trying to be more like Christ in every way with their lives. There are those in the church who say they are followers of Christ and are not. This is a fact of the church as a whole. We are going to have those in our midst who do not follow the Word of God. We should be so devoted to the Lord in every way that these people obviously do not belong. We want these people to come to know Jesus as their Lord. If they do not and they walk away, “their end is destruction.”
What this means is that we need to use discernment in who we imitate. We need to emulate those brothers from the past and present who emulate what it means to be a true follower of Christ. Heavenly Father, help me to follow as I see those devoted to you follow. Help me to be more like Christ and an example of who You are, because of Your work in me.
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