Philippians 3:17 – Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Life is often difficult.  We have days, which sometimes run into weeks, when we struggle.  Perhaps we have a crisis of health, and our faith is threatened.  Maybe, we find ourselves in a relationship that takes its emotional toll.  We may face difficulty with children, or parents.  Whatever our trouble, we’ve all been there, and maybe some of us are there today.  We know that daily we should turn to God’s Word for strength and guidance, but when we find ourselves in those difficult seasons of life, we need something more than words on a page.  We need a Christian role model.  

Paul had a personal relationship with the Christians in Philippi.  He offers himself as a Christian role model, asking them to pattern their lives after his, and after those who followed his example (verse 17).  There is a great spiritual lesson here for each of us.  We need one another.  When we are in those difficult seasons, we need the spiritual shoulders of other Christians to lean upon.  When we are strong, we need to make ourselves available to others, offering them encouragement. 

I once was asked by a man why he couldn’t be a Christian and not belong to a local church.  He told me that he did not need a church, and he went on to tell me how strong a faith he had – perhaps he did, but he lacked a little humility!  While I spoke to him about several benefits of the church, and quoted Hebrews 10:25, what I wanted to do was ask him how he could be so selfish!  God has a purpose for the Church.  The Church is to be the Body of Christ at work in the lives of all people (Ephesians 4:12).  Yes, the Body of Christ is to serve the lost and hurting of the world, but often the hurting are right within our own churches.  Whether in the world, or in the church, we are to be a Christ-like example. 

In light of God’s Word, let us seek to be a Christ-like example for others.  Let us also be quick to seek a Christ-like example to pattern our lives after when we find ourselves in difficult seasons. 

Posted by Ramón Torres