I’ve heard it said that everyone can serve as an example for others … some showing what to do; others showing what not to do. In other words, there are good examples and bad examples and we need to carefully choose which to follow.
Paul invited the Corinthian church to follow his example. He then told them why – because he was following the example that Christ Jesus left. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” [1 Cor 11:1]
I heard one minister say that Paul must have been pretty arrogant to invite others to follow or imitate him. I don’t think it was arrogance that prompted that invitation. I think it was the realization that whether we like it or not, if we claim to be Christian, others are looking at us. They want to see just how much we resemble this Jesus we claim as LORD and KING.
Jesus chided the leaders and rulers of religion in His time for not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. We had better know both and display both while here on earth! [Matthew 22:29]
God our Father is also setting us forth as an example for the future ages. Remember the Scripture verse? “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” [Eph 2:6-7]
Our Father God is using us as an example for all the ages to show the riches of His grace and His kindness given to us in Christ Jesus. Wow. Let us, by the power of His Spirit in us, strive to be the best example of God’s glory that we can be. Amen.
