Examples

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) - Philippians 3.17-18

It is only natural that people seek examples to follow. Ideally we should just ‘follow God’ and that’s all we would have to do. The thing is thought that we are human and God knows that we need visible examples to follow.

There are two kinds of examples here, good and bad. Paul says ‘be followers of me’ and ‘mark them who are also examples’ of ungodly living.

We can follow Paul’s example, as he says in another, as he follows Christ. God gives us godly people in our lives so we can see an earthly example of the kind of life that we too can follow.

Here though Paul says that the Philippians are following another kind of example. Paul speaks of them with tears in his eyes for they are enemies of the cross. Their fate is destruction. Their bellies are their god. Their glory is their shame.

When you look at that way, the choice is clear. Following God’s way will ultimately result in an eternity of joy. Following man’s way will eventually result in an eternity of misery and suffering.

The world’s end is destruction. Why would we choose to follow them?