July 28th

Head-On Collisions

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2

You know, as a pastor, I am very familiar with examples. This is because if I don't give examples for the points that I preach and teach, then quite often it leaves a lot of people not understanding the message.

Just as it is vital for me to have examples when I preach, it is absolutely necessary for us to have examples in life. If we don't carefully choose examples for ourselves, then we set ourselves up to misunderstand what life is all about and face the consequences of living life for the wrong things.

When Paul addressed the Corinthians with our verses today, they had chosen the wrong example in many areas of their lives. They had chosen the world instead of Christ, and that's why there were so many problems within the church there.

So Paul says, No, no, no. Let's get our eyes off the culture and our eyes back on Christ. And if you need an example, then imitate me. Follow my example. Now, he does not want them to see Paul as much as he wants them to see Christ in Paul.

I think a good word picture to keep in mind, a good illustration of what Paul is saying here is that picture of the potter and the clay. Okay? Like, really, honestly, have you submitted your lives into God's hands to shape you and to make you and to mold you into the image of His glory? Or have you chosen to let the world shape and mold your life?

That's exactly what Paul says in Romans, Chapter 12. Don't be conformed to the pattern of this world. Don't allow the world to set the example for you to follow. Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold. Don't let the world be your potter. Let God be your potter.

Now, sometimes God's going to tell us something that we might not be comfortable with. It might be something that we don't want. It might be something that makes no sense to us because of all the time we've spent letting the world be our example.

But you know what? God's going to mold you differently than the world would mold you. Expect it to look different. Expect yourself to become set apart and holy and sanctified unto the Lord, made beautiful in His hands for His glory and honor in this world.

God has an incredible plan that will be released as you submit to His hand in shaping and molding your life. But if you're going to engage in this process, first look at who your example is. Is your example someone who is following Christ, or someone who is following the world?

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You that You have incredible dreams for my life. Please show me examples to follow as You to shape me into all You created me to be!

Amen