April 9, 2025 -- Philippians 3:17 -- Imitate who?

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Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Philippians 3:17 ESV

What a statement for Paul to make. He is telling the people in his church plant to follow his example. They’ll know the story of Paul’s conversion. How he was on the way to Damascus, prepared to persecute the followers of Jesus in that area, when Jesus appeared to Him in a vision. At that time his name was still Saul. He was blinded him. The voice of Jesus, so loud but unintelligible to his companions, clearly informed Paul he was persecuting Jesus.

The man formerly named Saul (which means asked for) becomes Paul (small, humble). He was prayed over by a Christian, Ananias—it is likely not too much of a stretch to think Ananias might have been one of the very men Saul/Paul expected to arrest and humiliated bring back to Jerusalem. Now little Paul needs the ministry of the very man he’d just a few days before, gladly arrested and tormented. The disciples of Jesus were afraid of Paul. It was Barnabas who brought Paul into fellowship with the other disciples. Mighty Saul became humbled Paul as he tumbled from his high in the eyes of the world position of persecutor, to the lowly one of being persecuted. In fact, that is why he is in prison at the time of writing Philippians—he is imprisoned because of his boldness for Jesus. He lost everything the world valued, in order to gain Jesus. He exchanged everything that is now wasting away, for that which is eternal. He would know Jesus Christ more and become like Him in His death so that in Christ he would attain the resurrection from the dead.

Are you willing to accept the loss of everything for the sake of Jesus? Are you willing to lose your reputation, your finances, or whatever else it is you hold dear so that the glorious Name of Jesus will be exalted in you and through you? Does your life reflect that now? Respectfully I’d ask you to examine your heart and life-style: what else are you holding onto so tightly that you can not hold onto Jesus?

Who do you admire? Who do you keep your eyes on as a worthy example of the faith? Be prayerfully aware that even the most godly of men will have flaws and sins which ought not to be imitated. Ask the Spirit of God to show you what is good and worthy of being imitated and what in the person you admire is not admirable or excellent. Our glorious Lord will allow you to see the faults and sins, even in very respectable people, so that you do not idolize them, or put your confidence in them, instead of placing all your hope and trust in Jesus.

A worthy example of faith is someone who is striving toward the goal, the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. A worthy example of faith is someone who is secure enough to say, “Imitate me in the areas where you see Jesus exalted in me, and be aware that my example can never be perfect, so reject whatever is not Christ-like.” An even greater example is a brother or sister, who having been made aware of something that is sinful will be prepared to examine it, confess what is wrong and humbly seek to be reconciled to God and others.

Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of Jesus through Whom believers have abundant and reconciled life with You. Blessed Father, direct Your people by the Holy Spirit so that we will be more and more like Christ. Teach us, Holy Spirit, to walk in the way of Christ, with courage and perseverance. Amen.

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