PAUL AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY.
It is a wonderful thing as a Christian Counsellor to be able to encourage people by saying,
“Copy me as I copy Christ.”
Paul said, “Do as I say” and “Do as I do.”
Let this be the ideal of every Christian, Pastor, Evangelist, and Teacher. We need to maintain an equally higher level in our witness and ministry.
Paul never boasted about himself to be popular or praised and admired by those who heard him.
The only time he used himself as an example was to press home a “truth” that would challenge the listeners to change their own lives.
Oh how these personal touches challenge us !
Can you urge people to copy your behaviour as you copy Christ?
Are people, saved and unsaved, scrutinising you to justify their own behaviour be it right or wrong? Those who will not face their own sins of pride, criticism, and self righteousness will look at you to find reasons for their own faults and failures and use you to make excuses for themselves not to change. These people are modern day Pharisees.
They are, “White washed graves full of decaying dead mens bones.”
Then there’s the ones who’s hearts đź’• are pure who do not judge and condemn others, but are keen to learn and grow up into Christian maturity. These people will only see whatsoever is good, holy and without blame so they can grow in Grace and Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul was at the high point of Holiness as he had walked the the same path as Jesus had trod.
He didn’t need the approval of men as he was fully yielded over to the Holy Spirit to mould him into the image of Christ.
Let’s take a closer look at his life and ministry to discover how you can incorporate these qualities in your life and benefit from these.
1. Utter Loyalty. Paul was loyal to his message, method and motive—chapter 2:1-5.
2. Soundness. Soundness in finding and building lives.
Chapter 3:10-23.
3. Faithfulness. Faithful to the Gospel message Chapter 4:1-6.
4. Endurance. Endurance during severe trials and tribulations for Christ. Chapter 4: 9-16.
5. Consideration. Consideration for the weak Christians who struggled in deep waters. Chapters 6:12. 8:13.
6. Dying to Self. He yielded to his right to receive support from those whom he taught the Gospel.—
Chapter 9:12-18.
7. Self Denial. He denied himself for the saving of souls—chapter 9:9-23.
8. Self Discipline. Paul demonstrated amazing self discipline in his body and behaviour. Chapters 9:27. 10:33.
9. Self Restraint. He knew how to restrain himself in front of his enemies. Chapter. 14:18-20.
Humility. Paul humbled himself in the sight of God and man in a Spirit of gratitude and thankfulness.
Chapter 15:9-10.
We all can learn from Paul and examine our own lives. Can you measure up to his standards? If you don’t then you had better get your eyes off the faults of others and repent.
With myself included let us pray.
A prayer of repentance.
“Lord God, please forgive me for my critical expectations of other Christians. Create a clean heart, oh God, and put a right Spirit within me. I come to the cross and crucify myself afresh to You. Take from me this religious Spirit of selfishness and pride, and from now on, I will refocus on You and not on the faults of others. Holy Spirit, please make me a carbon copy of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Amen.
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