stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:17)

Mr. Tom was a great godly example when I was growing up. So was Gerald, Mark, Will, Bruce, my dad, the pastor, the youth pastor, and so many more. We all need examples in the faith to model after. They help us learn to pray, study our Bibles, walk out Christian disciplines, and be the church. We also should be examples in the faith to others. We are called to be disciples of Jesus and make disciples of Jesus. 

In Philippians 3:17, Paul said, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Christ is our ultimate example to follow.  We need others who are being Christlike to emulate. This does not mean we are identical in every single area of life. God has designed us all with different personalities, passions, and giftings. Those should be Christlike but will be expressed differently. The men who discipled me in life didn’t require me to do everything like them, but like Christ. 

We have examples in the faith through reading Scripture.  Paul is one of them, but so is Peter, John the Apostle, Matthew, Luke, Moses, David, and many others. And while they were all different but were striving to be like Christ. As believers become more like Christ through reading His Word and walking in the Spirit, they should be a model for others to follow. Paul wasn’t claiming to be a perfect example, as we saw in 3:12-16. And that is a great quality to replicate!  In other places, he said, “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). The key to following an example of another believer is ensuring they think, walk, and talk like Christ. If someone says, “Follow me,” but they aren’t obeying Scripture, we don’t follow them. Christ is our authority and example. Those following Him are worthy of imitating in hopes of growing closer to Christ. Following others as they follow Christ is a foundational part of Christian brotherhood and being the church. I pray I am being as good of an example to others as others have been to me.  I’ve learned so much about the Christian faith – I’ve seen it in action – and I’ve grown so much closer to the Lord and those in the church through following and being an example of Christlikeness.  

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Who has been a good example to you in the faith? If someone looked at your life, would they see a good example in Christ?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Spend some time thanking God for your spiritual examples in the faith.

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Take time to thank some of those who have been good spiritual examples (card, text, call, visit). Who are you being an example to? Do you need to start meeting with someone for the purpose of discipling them?