Growing by imitation

Posted on June 10, 2015 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

I hadn’t looked at it in a couple of decades, but recently I had occasion to crack open the thesis I wrote as part of my M.A program. The thesis was a discussion of the concept of imitation in Paul’s writings. The discussion centers on Paul’s use of the Greek word group from which we derive our English words, imitation and imitate.

I share with you the conclusion to the thesis:

From the study several conclusions can be drawn. The first is that for Paul, Christ is the ultimate example to be imitated. He mentions Christ specifically in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6. In 1 Corinthians 4:17 Paul mentions that Timothy will show the Corinthians “[his] ways which are in Christ.” In Philippians 3, Paul wants his readers to follow his example as he “press[es] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” The use of mimeomai (the Greek word from which we get our verb imitate) in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 so closely parallels the one in 1:6 that the example of Christ must be seen there also. It is only the uses in 2 Thessalonians in which no direct link to Christ can be found. However, what better example can be found of one who willingly endures forfeiting a privilege for the sake of ultimate good of others than Christ? So Christ can be indirectly seen in this passage also. Therefore a proper understanding of who Christ is will prove essential to understand and apply the fullest implications of the passages [that use this word group]. For the modern believer, there is no other way to understand who Christ is and what he has done than by the study of Scripture. If Christ is the ultimate example of how a godly life is to be lived then it is important for the reader to study the life of Christ.

The second conclusion is that for Paul understanding of the word of God is essential for a believer to practice imitation. From the passages in 1 Thessalonians it can be seen that proper living cannot be accomplished without knowledge of Scripture.

In both passages where imitation is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians, the word of God is mentioned in the immediate context. In 1:5 Paul mentions his gospel, which is his teaching about Christ. In 2:13 he mentions “the word of God’s message” which worked in the Thessalonians to produce good results. In both cases the imitation to which Paul refers is dependent upon the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The third conclusion which can be drawn is that Paul wished to use imitation as the means of training new believers in the faith. From Paul’s comment in Philippians 3:17 where he says, “mark those who walk according to the pattern you have in us,” it can be concluded that Paul sees that it is good for those who are novices in the faith to imitate those who are farther advanced.

This can be seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:7. The Thessalonians imitated Paul and then became an example to the believers as a result of their good behavior. Paul wishes that believers imitate Christ-like behavior in others as God reveals their needs through the Holy Spirit. Again, Scripture must be used as the standard of judgement as to determine who is fit to be imitated as well as what aspects of their behavior are to be imitated.

It is good to be reminded that this process is not just a passing on of tradition or knowledge. It is a dynamic method of growth of both the individual believer and of the body of Christ. The process is supernatural and is superintended by the Holy Spirit. Human traditions degenerate as time wears on but the example of Christ is renewed daily in those believers who have put their trust in Him and are living by the Spirit’s guidance. These believers still remain imperfect in this life but are an example in those areas of their lives where they have given the Holy Spirit free reign.

Content but not satisfied

Posted on October 1, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 5 Comments

Content

The Apostle Paul indicates that contentment is the state of mind in which a Christian should operate. After God denied his prayer to have his “thorn in the flesh” taken away, Paul writes to the Corinthians:

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB)

In Philippians 4:11, Paul indicates that contentment is a learned behavior. No matter what his circumstances, Paul would be content in the knowledge that God is in control and working things out for the advantage of his mission to preach the Gospel. Paul encourages his protégé Timothy to similar behavior when he writes:

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” (1 Timothy 6:6–8, NASB)

But not satisfied

On the other hand, Paul expresses a desire to advance, to change, to make things better. In Philippians 3 he speaks of “pressing on” to describe his lack of satisfaction. Paul describes his desire to climb higher in his spiritual life:

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14, NASB)

We can also see Paul’s dissatisfaction with his progress in his spiritual life when we read Romans 7. At one point in the chapter Paul cries out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24, NASB) We do not get any sense that Paul had arrived at a place where he should be satisfied in his spiritual state.

A reconciliation

Was Paul content or was his dissatisfied? From the verses cited above the answer to this question has to be “both.” Paul was content but dissatisfied.

Is Paul conflicted or is there some other way of understanding what is going on? I believe it is the latter and this understanding can be applied it to our own lives.

With regard to his physical circumstances (who he was with, his food, his clothing, his travel schedule, the rigors of fulfilling his mission) Paul was content that God was in control. The oft quoted Romans 8:28 is an indication of this. Nothing about his circumstances would deter Paul from the completion of his mission. Paul did not get bogged down in self-pity when things were difficult.

On the other hand, with regard to the things of God, Paul was discontent or dissatisfied. He was not satisfied with his own progress in true holiness. Paul was not satisfied that he had done enough for the spread of the Gospel. Paul was not content to allow people to go into eternity without having heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

Too often, I have this backward. I am often dissatisfied in my physical circumstances and complacent regarding my holiness and mission. My dissatisfaction stems from being self-absorbed and focused on the wrong things.

By God’s grace and through his power, I choose to realign my contentment and dissatisfaction to follow the example of Paul.

What you build and how you build it matters to God

Posted on July 8, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

Build Stone Wall — Image via freefoto.com

Perhaps it due to the nature of the blogs I follow, or perhaps it is because of my own discontent, but I sense a growing dissatisfaction with the organized church. As evidence I would point to the Barna statistics that show that 6 out of 10 young people walk away from the church; many of them never return. I read some verses that seem to speak to this issue. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-13, Paul is writing about the foundation on which he builds and the quality of the work and the materials used to build upon that foundation. He writes:

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. (NASB)

The first thing to notice is the foundation on which Paul builds. That foundation is Jesus Christ. Anything that does not point to or is built upon the relationship with Jesus Christ is not built on a solid foundation.

The question for church leaders is whether or not the activities of the church deepen the relationship with Jesus. Any activitiy that does not is not built upon a solid foundation.

The second point is that what is built upon the foundation needs to be made of material that will stand the test. Wood, hay and straw will be consumed, while gold silver and precious stones will last. Are we building into the lives of our members such that their relationship with Christ is strengthened and deepened or are we merely treading water?

Do we have a structure in place that allows for training members in the foundational truths of Scripture? Are we teaching men and women how to read Scripture in context and understand how to apply it? Are we providing a forum where doubts and questions can be addressed? Do we have a safe environment for doubters to seek answers? In short, are we making disciples (root meaning learner) or are we making conformists? There is a large difference.

In addition to this type of training, do we as parents and church leaders model the life of a disciple? Can we be found studying Scripture? Do we honestly wrestle with how Scripture should be applied in our lives? Do we respond in obedience when Scripture brings conviction on an issue? Does the next generation look at us and see something that they want to emulate?

With 60% of young people leaving the church, it would appear that the church as a whole can use a lot of improvement in these areas. The good news is that there are individuals and churches that are doing well with these issues and there are organizations who seek to train people to be excellent disciple makers.

I thank God that when I left for college, He brought men into my life that could point me toward the answers I sought. It is my hope that my generation can begin to do better at living out the gospel and training the next generation to do so.

We cannot sit back and rest thinking that we are on a good path. A 60% failure rate is unacceptable in any endeavor, especially when an eternal destiny is on the line.

Here is a question for my readers: What have you seen that has worked well in reaching out to the next generation?

Social media and the need for validation

Posted on July 2, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

I recently read where a social media guru said something to the effect of, “there are two types of people involved in social media, those who want more followers and those who are lying about it.” There is a part of us that wants to be validated by those around us and social media provides a means of numerically providing that validation.

In contrast to this, the Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 1:10, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” Paul makes a distinction between pleasing men and serving God. The servant must find his validation in his master and not his peers. Christians should find validation in relationship with Jesus Christ and obedience to his commands.

Part of living in community is to refrain from giving offense to your neighbors. There is something appropriate about taking feedback from the people around so that we can know how we are perceived by the community. Those who do not accept this feedback are considered antisocial or worse.

Paul is not saying that he does not care how he is perceived. What Paul is saying is that he cannot let public opinion keep him from following the path laid out for him by his Master, Jesus Christ.

While the desire to be liked may not be inappropriate, if that desire keeps me from doing what is right, it then becomes an improper desire. As a recovering man-pleaser this can be a struggle for me.

There are times when I should speak up and say something appropriate to the situation but remain silent for fear of causing someone to dislike me. There are other times when I have joined in conversation in an inappropriate way so that I better fit in with the group. I can cave in on something that I think is important so that I do not make any waves. I have found that peer pressure does not stop with the end of formal education. I can be side-tracked by emotional bullies.

Perhaps I might make a case that my compromises are small ones, yet they are still compromises and some of them are sin. Paul sets the example by stating that the only thing that matters for the believer is whether or not he pleases God. While we cannot earn our salvation, by being obedient, we can one day hear that coveted blessing, “Well done, good and faithful slave” (Matthew 25:21).

While the drive to be liked, followed or otherwise connected on social media is morally neutral, if it keeps me from being obedient to God, then it is an idol that requires smashing. The same is true of setting up other measures of “man-pleasing” such as church attendance, sermon downloads, etc.

We are called to emulate Jesus in being full of grace and truth. If we compromise on the truth for the sake of popularity or acceptance, we are not being faithful to our call to live as salt and light in a world that desperately needs it.

Discussion question: How do you determine when you are becoming a “man-pleaser?” Please add your thoughts in the comment section below.