14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (1 Corinth 4:14-16 ~KJV)
Overarching Ministerial Objective…
In our reference passage above, the apostle Paul employs hard-hitting language to reprimand Corinthian believers. They’ve adopted ungodly attitudes toward gospel ministers, comparing, rating, and judging them. In that mission field, efforts of God’s ministers are not achieving their purpose.
Is Paul writing to vent his displeasure? No, his goal is to teach people, not to shame perpetuators of error. Current circumstances threaten spiritual growth, and apostolic guidance is needed. Serving the role of a father (mentor) entails taking ownership of outcomes. Others may teach stuff and vanish from the scene with no thought of consequences. For Paul, stability of believers is not a luxury to be squandered; it’s a parental obligation. Neither can it be achieved via stylish lectures. As in natural parenting, the mentor of spiritual children must model godly character in word and deed. Thus, Paul repeatedly calls Christians to emulate the paradigm of his own life.
I am your example; follow me…
Consider the weight of the following statements: –
- Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (1 Cor 4:16)
- Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1)
- Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Phil 3:17)
When Paul made his famous defense before government leaders at Caesarea, king Agrippa was so convicted he exclaimed, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26: 28 ~NKJV), to which Paul (an accused prisoner) replied; “I wish to God that everyone hearing me today would become everything I am except these chains.”
How many leaders do you know that confidently make that call? How many Christians can you readily emulate? What qualities have you seen in another believer that you desire for yourself? Well, how about you; does your example draw people to Christ? Using Paul’s words let me assure you that these questions are not meant to embarrass, but to call us to a higher display of Christlikeness. Our everyday lives set examples for others. The question is ‘what kind’?
A genuine evaluation should uncover our flaws. We must bravely confront areas of our lives that misrepresent God’s Kingdom. Bear in mind that example is our subject here. Nobody sets an example to him/herself. Example has to do with your influence on someone else. An observer copies and replicates your behavior. For instance, Paul didn’t merely give lectures on prayer, love, generosity, courage or witnessing. He prayed. He loved the brethren. He spent and was spent for the benefit of others. He boldly witnessed to the risen Christ, every opportunity he could find. Neither did he wait for opportunities; he created them. In essence, he was an embodiment of his message.
Transferable Values…
Not only did Paul set his life as an example to others, he called on believers to do likewise. His epistles to individuals like Titus and Philemon carry the same message. To Timothy, whom he fondly called “my son”, he wrote, 11 Teach these things and make sure everyone learns them well. 12 Don’t let anyone think little of you because you are young. Be their ideal; let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your clean thoughts (1 Tim 4:11, 12 ~TLB).
Being Christian entails taking responsibility for outcomes of our exhibits. “Do what I say, not what I do” mantra is diametrically opposed to Christian code. The end does not justify the means. You cannot cultivate in others what doesn’t exist in you. You can lecture others on love, forgiveness, faith etc. until you’re blue in the face, but if your lifestyle doesn’t exhibit those values, you can’t impart them on your audiences.
Influence in the absence of virtue creates dangerous specimens. Many influential people stand on pedestals of fame, wealth, skills, etc. Sadly, flawed mentors sacrifice virtue and character at the altar of such fleeting advantages. Their mentees quickly realize that the masses don’t particularly care about anointed Words of God. Attempting to transmit spiritual values by carnal means, they exchange eternal gains for worldly trophies.
Mentorship is the focus of our discussion here, not the maturing process, which entails a different set of dynamics. As we rise to our full potential in Christ, there’s room for correction and growth. None of us is exempt from the process. Yet, before we can work at purging ungodly tendencies, we must acknowledge their existence. There can be no incentive to correct nonexistent faults. As in academics, students who ignore ineptitude end up in failure in their field of study. They must admit their need and seek help.
Neither human design nor religious titles made Paul a mentor for others. It was the result of imitating Christ (1 Cor 11:1). As an apprentice observes a Master craftsman, Paul built a godly image by imitating the Son of God. There’s no alternative for that.
The apostle admonishes gentile Christians, of whom you and I are part. …Though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Why should we follow him? Firstly, his ministry brought gentiles to the faith. Secondly, his lifestyle is a genuine example. Thirdly, until his death, Paul was an active imitator of Christ. He wasn’t out to make converts for a religious cult but to replicate the image of Christ exhibited by his persona.
In the practice of your religious faith, whose pattern are you following?