The Apostle Paul told the church at Corinth, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). In this interesting command, two truths can be established. 1). The apostle recognized that he was an example of a faithful Christian. 2). Other Christians, by following Paul’s example, would also be following God in an acceptable manner. Paul’s life did not always exemplify his ability to say this.
Paul, previously known as Saul, was a leader in approving the murder or imprisonment of Christians (Acts 7: 7:58; 8:1; 26:9-11). Acts 9:1 states, “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.” It was on this trip to Damascus that Saul was confronted by Jesus. Saul, falling to the ground, asked the Lord what he should do (Acts 9:3-6). Saul believed that persecuting the Lord’s Church was pleasing to God, but he was soon to find out differently from a man by the name of Ananias, to whom Saul was sent by Jesus. The scripture reveals to us that Saul was baptized. He was then given food for strength and spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Acts 9:20 indicates that Saul immediately began to preach Christ in the synagogues.
From being a man who in good conscience (Acts 23:1) persecuted the church, Paul became one of the greatest advocates for the cause of Christ. He was always a man of conviction. Even when he was wrong, he believed that he was right and pleasing to God. It is the power of God that gave him revelation to the truth of the Savior. A good conscience does not mean that you are correct if you don’t know the truth of what you say and do (cf. Rom. 10:2). The change in the conscience of the Apostle Paul led him to be a great man of—as well as an example of—faith.
Paul told the churches in Galatia, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Paul could have bragged about his importance in his father’s religion. He had advanced in Judaism far beyond many of his contemporaries; he was exceedingly zealous (Galatians 1:14). To elevate himself would be of no comfort or hope. He recognized that Jesus had died for him so that he could live eternally. This would not be without cost for the Apostle Paul or for any Christian, as there is great sacrifice in being crucified to a life that is of this world and living by faith in the Son of God. Paul was no exception in his sacrifice.
Paul talks about his sufferings for Christ in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30. He talks about receiving stripes five times, being beaten with rods, being stoned, suffering shipwreck and consistently finding himself in different perils. Paul suffered in being faithful to Christ. In this suffering, he told the Corinthians, “For our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Paul realized that those that are faithful to Christ will inherit perfection in the afterlife. Any suffering that we may endure is for a far greater hope and reward (cf. Rom. 8:18).
Be imitators of Paul as he imitated Christ. Consider how we live faithfully to Christ and what that means here on this earth. Like Saul, there are those in the world that would harm Christians. Always press toward the goal of heaven. It is the only thing in this life that will have mattered. Let us live as citizens of heaven and while we wait for that great day, let our lives be transformed by living for Christ.
Scott is the minister at the Elm Grove Church of Christ. Meeting times are Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for Bible class and 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for worship. Mid-week Bible study is on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. All are invited.
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