Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. Philippians 3:17
Almost all of the things that you did yesterday and will do today are things that you learned by watching other people do them. Whether it was a task at work or a game you played, you saw how someone else did it, and you repeated it. Even many of the expressions you use in your speech were picked up from the people who were around you. For example, I find myself repeating many of the expressions that I heard my parents use. Hopefully, many of the things that we learn and pick up were from people who were doing it right and who were saying it right. Those examples really did make a great impression on us, and made us much of what we are today. One of the reasons why the apostle Paul made such a good example for people to follow is his choice of Someone to follow.
Paul wanted the Christians in Philippi to be following the right people, to be getting their examples from those who were following the Lord Jesus. And what an Example He is, as we study His life as portrayed in the Gospels! Consider His example in the choice of His companions. As a lad, He found delight in discussing the Word of God with the doctors in the temple. In His ministry, He spent His time with those disciples who were interested in spiritual things. In His resurrection, He sought the company of those who appreciated Him as their Lord and Saviour. His example should encourage us to delight in the company of the Lord’s people, and especially those with whom we can share the things of the Lord.
The Lord Jesus is also our great example in terms of purity and holiness. No taint of sin or association with sin ever marked His life, although He was the friend of publicans and sinners. He told no lies, He displayed no guile, He walked a pathway that proved that He did always those things that please the Father. We are told to be Holy, and we do so only to the extent that we copy the purity of the life of the Lord Jesus.
There are many other ways in which the Lord Jesus is our greatest and highest Example. His life and service show us how we are to love each other. His discourses and sermons and parables as recorded in the Gospels tell us how we are to teach. His unswerving devotion to His Father’s will show us how we are to persevere in our service and testimony for God.
There is no excuse for Christians not knowing how to live as the Lord wants us to live. We have the examples of the apostles such as Paul to follow. And even better, we have the example of the Lord Jesus, a perfect pattern Who will never lead us astray. -Jim MacIntosh