Philippians 3:17-19 ESV
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.

BE AN EXAMPLE.
The Christian witness is muddled nowadays. We do need models to follow in our spiritual walk, don’t we? But, we have difficulty in ascertaining the real from the fake now as before.

According to Paul, these ‘impostors’ were showing up their ‘tears.’ This makes the tv religious broadcasts suspect when we see so much emotionalism and choreography. Let us be aware about their ‘crocodile tears’. They ‘walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.’ They are ‘having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions.”[2 Tim 3:5-6]

Thus, Paul had enjoined us to imitate him. Why? He was an authentic imitator of Christ. [1 Cor 11:1] Far from a sense of arrogance, Paul noted his own imperfection in Phil 3:12. Moreover, he acknowledged other godly examples apart from himself to follow. This was important during the beginning years of Christianity when persecutions and hardships were rampant among Christians. Even today, the lives of godly people, either seen in person or in a biography, do inspire us to devote our lives towards spiritual growth. Jesus did the same. He said, “ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.’ (John 13:15).

In Heb 11, our heroes of faith are even mentioned to encourage us to run othe race faithfully. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”[Heb 12:1-2]

May we be an example to others so that we inspire them to live for Christ. As Paul had challenged Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” [1 Tim 4:12]

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