How’s your Christmas shopping going? My daughter Katrina is an early Christmas shopper. And so weeks before Thanksgiving she is constantly asking, “Dad, what do you want for Christmas.” To which I say, “I haven’t even thought about it.” But she’s persistent, so I typically tell her without much thought; “Hey, a Best Buy, Amazon or Dick’s gift card would work.
However, after some careful though, this Christmas I would like to add one more item to my list.
In my quiet time with God this morning I read a powerful phrase from Paul in Philippians 3:17 which says, “Be imitators of me.” And I thought, “Wow, would I want to say that? Hey people of Heartland, imitate me.”
I think in many areas of my life I may humbly challenge you to imitate me, but in EVERY area could I say, “Do as I do?” And not just to say, “Do as I say.”
Now while Paul did not hesitate to tell the Philippians to imitate him. He did not mean that he believed he was sinless; for he had just stated that he was not perfect. Paul is fully aware of his potential to fail (1 Cor 9:27) and his struggle to attain holiness (Phil 3:12–14).
So what is Paul exactly saying? In the previous verses, Paul had just set forth his life ambition to be more Christ-like. And it is in this matter of relentlessly pursuing after Christ-likeness that he sets himself up as an example.
Paul was confident that his own manner of life characterized by his relentless pursuit of God, humility, and service to others, was a worthy model for others to follow. Thus Paul could say not only, “Listen to my words,” but also, “Follow my example in pursuing Christlikeness in every area of your life.”
So for Christmas this year, I’ve added one more item to my list of Best Buy, Amazon, and Dick’s gift cards. What I’ve added is this: I pray this Christmas to imitate Paul’s relentless drive to know Christ and His power.
Imagine what could happen if all of us would pursue Christ-likeness just as much as we pursue all those other items on our “list.” I pray during this Christmas season that all of us at Heartland would add Christ-likeness to our Christmas lists.
Anything you would like to add to your Christmas list?
However, after some careful though, this Christmas I would like to add one more item to my list.
In my quiet time with God this morning I read a powerful phrase from Paul in Philippians 3:17 which says, “Be imitators of me.” And I thought, “Wow, would I want to say that? Hey people of Heartland, imitate me.”
I think in many areas of my life I may humbly challenge you to imitate me, but in EVERY area could I say, “Do as I do?” And not just to say, “Do as I say.”
Now while Paul did not hesitate to tell the Philippians to imitate him. He did not mean that he believed he was sinless; for he had just stated that he was not perfect. Paul is fully aware of his potential to fail (1 Cor 9:27) and his struggle to attain holiness (Phil 3:12–14).
So what is Paul exactly saying? In the previous verses, Paul had just set forth his life ambition to be more Christ-like. And it is in this matter of relentlessly pursuing after Christ-likeness that he sets himself up as an example.
Paul was confident that his own manner of life characterized by his relentless pursuit of God, humility, and service to others, was a worthy model for others to follow. Thus Paul could say not only, “Listen to my words,” but also, “Follow my example in pursuing Christlikeness in every area of your life.”
So for Christmas this year, I’ve added one more item to my list of Best Buy, Amazon, and Dick’s gift cards. What I’ve added is this: I pray this Christmas to imitate Paul’s relentless drive to know Christ and His power.
Imagine what could happen if all of us would pursue Christ-likeness just as much as we pursue all those other items on our “list.” I pray during this Christmas season that all of us at Heartland would add Christ-likeness to our Christmas lists.
Anything you would like to add to your Christmas list?
