Be Imitators of Christ - Rev Dr Ng Moh Ying

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥; 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥.

Paul opens his message with an encouragement and a warning. First, he encourages us to keep good examples before our eyes. In Philippians 3:17, he says:"Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do." Paul understands that examples serve as a critical function in the Christian life. Christianity is not just doctrinal, it is behavioural. It is something that needs to be demonstrated. We all need role models. And knowing this, Paul says we should look at his example, and follow it or if he is not present, to imitate those who follow his example, like Timothy and Epaphroditus.

For Paul, all of life is captured in Christ so that everything Paul does is generated by Christ and done for his sake. For this reason, Paul provides Jesus Christ as the example for his audience to follow. He calls them to think and act in humility and self-sacrificial service towards each other just as Jesus did. Here, Paul's call to imitate him is in fact a call to imitate Jesus.