… and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Summary: Learning how to follow Jesus is like learning to dance. A good teacher makes it easy.
Who do you know that lives as Paul did?
Anybody?
Maybe you have never run across his twin, but there are a lot of people who model their lives after Paul. Even if they are not one hundred percent successful, there is usually something we can learn by watching them.
But who was Paul keeping his eyes on? Was it Jesus, or something else?
Paul’s claim to be a “model” for believers is audacious on its face. Who does that kind of thing? Yet he sets himself up as an example (v. 17), and he now includes those who live as he does as a model.
What is going on here?
To understand this, we have to accept that God himself is the Author of Scripture. If we take any other view, none of this makes sense. If God, writing through his chosen instruments, is the actual Author, everything makes sense.
Since the beginning of Creation, God is the One who decides what is Good and what is Evil. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, their “eyes [were] opened” and they knew both “good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
Of course, mankind tended to gravitate towards evil, and God eventually had to explain the difference by issuing the Law as given by Moses (Exodus 20:1-17). Eventually, since mankind still didn’t seem to understand, Jesus, the Son of God, came to explain it in person.
Finally, he also came to fulfill the law by allowing himself to be sacrificed on the cross.
Then came Paul, God’s “chosen instrument” to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15).
And what do we see?
Do we see Paul the Pharisee demanding that people conform to his teachings, or do we see the suffering servant that Jesus modeled?
I think the case can be made that Paul not only embodied Jesus’ teachings, but he lived them sacrificially. Those who knew Paul and followed his teachings lived that way as well. In fact, people continue to follow Paul’s example because Paul followed Jesus’ example.
Who do you know who lived as Paul did?
It is not hard to tell. Look for someone who loves God above all else and loves their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40).
Application: If you can’t find a model, be one.
Food for Thought: What do you see in Paul that is a model for you?
So many possible answers. I am just giving one that I have been thinking about quite a bit: perseverance. Paul is an amazing example of perseverance and finishing the race strong.
From the context of our passage – Philippians 3: 7 – 14: But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in a Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 4; 6 – 8: For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Thank you, Rich!
That is a touching observation. Thank you for your example of service in the face of all the trials that come with it.
I agree with Rich that there are so many answers, and I liked his answer.
One thing I see in Paul that is a model for me is his obedience.
When I look at Paul and his teachings and writings, one thing that becomes abundantly clear is that He expects absolute obedience for himself to Christ, and then he teaches the “why” of this to others. His teachings are not “if you are obedient you will be saved” but rather “you have been saved by Christ alone, and if you desire a closer relationship with Him, be obedient, here is how.” And then not only does he articulate it, he lived it.
Paul wrote in this Philippians 2:5-8 about Christ and the Christ mindset:
Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I find that Paul’s life emulates the very thing that he wrote about Christ. He modeled Christ-like obedience.
Thanks, Chris!
Excellent point! To obey Christ is to acknowledge that he knows more than we do and that we trust what he knows to be true. Obedience is harder if we don’t trust our Lord.
Great meditation and responses from Rich and Chris.
What do you see in Paul that is a model for you?
What is our purpose, as a child of God living on earth? Paul understood why, after we have received the gift of eternal spiritual life through Jesus Christ, we remain on earth, confined within these physical bodies. Our primary purpose is to begin our growing relationship with our infinite God who has revealed Himself to us through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul, empowered by the Holy Spirit, subdued the desires of his flesh and dedicated his life to submissive service to God as he spread His Word over the words of men. As believers we study and apply the truths of God, and will at some point find we can no longer contain the wonderful, eternal truths of Christ in our lives. We will simply turn from worldly values and begin expressing Gods eternal truths to those around us, in word and deed. This is why God has left us here, and we find His peace as we obey God as Paul has demonstrated.
John 14:6, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 12:2, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Well said, Ron!
I love your focus on the transformation that happens as we grow closer to our Lord.