Someone gave me a calendar several years ago. It was one of those themed items (maybe by Maxine?) that had a saying or an adage for each day. You could flip from one day to the next and see some humorous bit of wisdom. Often, as I flipped over the new page, I'd laugh. But, one day, I flipped the page to see this:
"You can either be a wonderful example, or a horrible warning."
This sobering thought reminds me of Paul's plea in today's text:
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
Other versions translate "following my example" as the word "imitate". The Greek word is Symmimētai , a word not used elsewhere in Scripture, which actually means "co-imitators". That's why the NASB translates the thought as "join in following my example".
The other key word here then is "join", which signifies Paul's desire for the Philippians to unite in following the example set forth by him and by others like him, hence the "us" at the end of verse 17.
This reminds me of a time when, as a choral director of high school choirs, I attended a wonderful week-long workshop to learn choreography from a Disney park choreographer. Fortunately, I was in my 20s at the time and in great physical shape. The choreographer would stand in front of our group and, in order to learn the moves to each piece of music, the group would imitate him. If we made missteps (and we made many), he would make us go over the steps again and again, until we "got it".
The end result was a beautiful and powerful synchronized performance where, not everyone looked the same, but we all together made a tremendous impact through both our auditory and visual performances.
So, there is also a call for unity in these verses. He goes on in the passage to highlight two women who are having some kind of squabble, and to ask the small church to help them work it out. As believers, we will have disagreements, sometimes serious ones. Often, the call for unity is proclaimed, to resolve the differences. But, unity for the sake of appearances or comfort is a false unity. In other words, unity is great, but only if it is based on truth. We as Christians are admonished to be unified, but not when error is present.
Paul recognized the power of example, of mentoring, of leadership. In 1 Cor. 11:1, he "grounds" his admonition by anchoring it into bedrock.
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
Furthermore, in the earlier parts of his letter to the Philippians, and in his other letters, he describes the characteristics believers should imitate as well as the ones they should avoid. What Paul desires they imitate is his distrust of his own abilities to live for Christ under his own power, his clear sense of his own shortcomings, as well as his earnest desire to reach the perfect example Christ Jesus gave.
Some have said that Paul is being arrogant in his request for the Philippian believers to imitate him. What he is asking of the Philippians is that join him single-mindedly in a similar quest - - - - that being to pursue righteousness by following Christ's example. Every Christian should be able to say these same words to their brothers and sisters in Christ. If we can't declare that we are "walking this way" or "walking worthy", then we need to examine our hearts, repent of and confess any hidden sins and perhaps even re-examine our own salvation to see if it is indeed true.
Paul is writing to believers here, about people in the Philippian church. In verse 18, he writes about church members who break his heart. Apparently, in addition to believers who are following his and Christ's example, there are those who are living as "enemies of the cross of Christ." What an indictment! You might say that these are a "horrible warning"! It is sad to contemplate that enemies of Christ can infest the church. But, it happens. When any believer falls into sin, or worse, practices sin, he or she at that moment is an enemy of the cross of Christ, because that sin is an affront to God. It is like a slap in His face, after all He has done to redeem us.
The people Paul describes here, though, are of the "practicing" kind. Instead of "walking worthy", they persist in their sin, in order to set up their own power-structures, their little "kingdoms", which stand in opposition to the kingdom of God. Psalm 55:20-21 (ESV) describes these people perfectly:
My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;
he violated his covenant.
His speech was smooth as butter,
yet war was in his heart.
His words were softer than oil,
yet they were drawn swords.
We are to avoid them...like the plague.
So, today's question for me and for you is this: which will you choose to be? A wonderful example? Or, a horrible warning?
Father, may each of us, Your redeemed, blood-bought Bride, make the choice today to join together in imitating Your Son, our Savior. It is in His glorious name I pray, amen.
