Sheep

 

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

(Philippians 3:17-21 ESV)

 

Although we claim that we’re our own person, although we like to believe that we are free-thinkers, and although we insist that we make our own decisions and do things our own way, the opposite tends to be true. Even though we hate to admit it, we are sheep. Even though we hate to acknowledge it, we tend to follow the crowd. We tend to do exactly what everyone else is doing.

 

We wear what everyone else is wearing, and we’re critical of anything that doesn’t match the trending style. We watch the shows and the movies that everyone else is watching. We listen to the music to which everyone else is listening. We talk like those around us. And, of course, we think like those who surround us.

 

Whether this is done knowingly or unknowingly, this is the case. We are not the unique people that we believe ourselves to be. And we are not the rebels, we’re not the nonconformists, that we believe ourselves to be.

 

While this can certainly be a bad thing, if we’re following the wrong crowd, it can also be a positive thing. It depends upon the company we keep and the role models that we admire. If we’re looking to the right people, and following their example, it can be a great blessing.

 

This is why, in the above passage, Paul encouraged the people to imitate him. This is why he encouraged them to keep their eye on those who walk according to the example seen in him and his companions. As they followed the example of Paul, and as they emulated the faith of Paul, they would remain on the right course.

 

I realize that a statement like this may seem arrogant on the surface. It may seem that he’s holding himself up before others in a prideful way. And, for this reason, we’d be uncomfortable making a statement such as this.

 

We must realize, however, that Paul is not claiming perfection. Nor is he claiming to be sinless. He is, however, an example of the very faith he was proclaiming to others.

 

His focus, you see, was not on himself. Nor was it upon his obedience. His focus was on the cross of Christ. This was his source of comfort and assurance. And it was this to which he directed others.

 

For this reason, it’s people like this, it’s people like Paul, that we should emulate. We should imitate those who look only to the cross of Christ. We should seek to live like those who trust in Christ, and in Christ alone, for the salvation he provides.

 

And, in the same way, as we trust in Christ, we are that example for others. Although we must never think too highly of ourselves, we must realize that our hope in Christ is a model for those who surround us. As we walk through life, with our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can reveal to others what a life of faith looks like.