1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
We cannot help understanding what Paul means when he says for us to follow his example as he follows the example of Christ. Other translations state his words slightly differently. The KJV says, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. In the NASB, we read, Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Of the three, the last probably comes the closest to Paul's message to yield totally to Christ in another passage where Paul describes the mind of Christ: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV) Paul willingly followed Jesus into situations of danger and bodily harm to carry the "Good News" wherever the Holy Spirit led him. And he was proud of the church in Corinth for holding fast to the teachings of Christ he had passed on to them. Paul served as a spiritual father to this church. As a teacher and a leader, he wanted them to follow him in the truth and not to be lead astray. As we studied last week, Paul warned them against the sins of their forefathers: idolatry, sexual immorality, and the like. He encouraged them not to seek their own good but the good of others and whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) Now, just as he has told them that God will not tempt them beyond what they are able to resist, he says, follow my example and I will lead you in the paths of the Lord because I am following him. Paul desires for the church to follow him in his single-minded pursuit: But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13) He says, come along, stay on the path of righteousness, keep your eyes on the prize.
Paul knew there were many temptations to distract and to discourage the Corinthians. He also knew they had some church problems that probably had affected the morale of the congregation. Therefore he reminds them to stick to sound doctrine. He knows they know the truth of the gospel, and he brings their past achievements of receiving him to mind. At the beginning of his letter, he says, My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11) There is boasting going on in the church, and Paul has to tell them if they are going to boast, to boast in the Lord only. Now Paul is preparing to bring additional instruction to the church, but before he does, he encourages them in their faith. He tells the church, you can trust me; I will not lead you astray. And he goes on to say, I am proud of you for remembering me and for keeping my teaching. He is laying a foundation of trust and faith with the Corinthians. He knows that he needs their trust and their confidence if they are to receive his words of correction and exhortation in the Lord. When Paul gives instructions to his spiritual son, Timothy, we see his understanding of what makes a good leader or teacher in the body of Christ: And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26) Just as Paul admonishes Timothy not to quarrel and to practice kindness and gentleness, Paul follows his own words when dealing with the church in Corinth. He asked Timothy to follow him as he followed Christ with the goal that their actions would lead people to know more of Christ, to repent of their sins, and to escape the snares of the enemy. This was also Paul's desire for the Corinthian church. He loved them as a father loves his children, as Christ loves the church.
Paul used the concept of imitation to express how we grow in our love for others as we follow the Lord. Paul believed he was a spiritual father, and he accepted that responsibility. Earlier in this letter, he told the Corinthians, Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. (1 Corinthians 4:15-16) Many of us have or have had people who were mothers or fathers in the Lord, people who led us to a deeper walk with Jesus. These people reveal to us what it means to yield to the Lord. They offer encouragement when we need help, and they point us to Jesus, reminding us of his Word: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) When you get as old as we are, most of your mentors have gone to be with Jesus, and you have to build yourself up in the power of the Holy Spirit. Usually there is no Aunt or special sister or brother in the Lord who sends you an encouraging letter anymore. But God is faithful: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. (2 Peter 3:9) We have a Savior, Christ the Lord, who promised never to leave us or to forsake us. Paul was a spiritual father, a teacher, a leader, a brother in the faith. He could tell others to trust in his love for them. He could ask them to imitate his walk with Jesus as he imitated Jesus. But Paul would not have stopped there: he would have said, look to Jesus; He is Lord of All! Christ is our everything. Today, dear brothers and sisters in the faith, what is holding you back from complete surrender to the Lord? What is keeping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly? In Christ we are free from our sins and safe in him forevermore. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35 & 37-39) Trust him! Live for him! Follow him!
No comments:
Post a Comment