DO AS I DO
Perhaps you heard this phrase growing up (and have repeated it to your own kids): 'do as I say, not as I do'. That's our response when we hear, 'but you do it' or, 'but you say it'. I can swear up a storm but if I hear you do it you're in big trouble. The idea of holding our kids to a standard we don't follow does not send a good message; it doesn't set a good example.
Contrast that with what we see in the bible and we realize the right thing to be able to say is, 'do as I do'. Let's see what we can learn about the importance of setting a good example.
1) As I follow Christ.
1st Cor. 11:1, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Here we have Paul saying, 'do as I do'.
He invites the Corinthians to watch him and then do what he does. But then he explains who's example it really is-Jesus'. He wants them to know that whatever they see in him that's worth following is because of Jesus. We can't set a good example until we first follow the example set for us by Christ. I can't give you an example of goodness, righteousness, wisdom or love apart from the example already given to me through the actions of Jesus.
Jesus set countless examples but I'm just going to focus on where the word example is used. In John's gospel, we see Jesus giving his disciples an example of humble service.
John 13:12-17, "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Jesus asks if they understood what he had just done. If they were to answer, 'yeah, you just washed our feet', they'd be missing the greater significance. This wasn't about clean feet, this was about humility, unity and outreach. Earlier, when Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet, Jesus replied, "unless I wash you, you have no part with me'. Peter didn't understand in the moment but Jesus was communicating the importance of submission.
In Matt. 16 when Jesus told the disciples he was going to suffer, die and rise again, Peter objected. That plan of suffering didn't set well with Peter and he made it clear. Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'get behind me, Satan. You do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men'. Peter was responding in pride and self-preservation-two things that work against following Christ.
Peter didn't like that Jesus was washing his feet. Jesus was telling him he needed to get over it. If you're going to serve me you need to be humble, teachable and selfless. Jesus wanted them to see that washing their feet was meant to be a teachable moment for them. It wasn't as much about serving a practical purpose as it was a spiritual one.
The Apostles had argued before about which one of them was the greatest and Jesus gave them a lesson on humility. And they didn't get it because Luke 22 records them arguing again about this here at the Last Supper! So, Jesus gives them another lesson on humility.
He wanted them to be unified. The only way his work would be accomplished after he left them was if they were going to band together as brothers. Jesus knew their pride would not accomplish anything good. So, his example of humble servitude was an example for them to follow so the greater purpose would be achieved. He wanted them to see that true greatness was in being humble.
He said a servant isn't greater than his master. He's saying, "if you think washing feet or doing a lowly task is beneath you because you're an Apostle, think again. If I, the creator and sustainer of the universe can humble myself to wash your feet (when you should be washing mine) then you need to be willing to do anything I ask of you. And if you think there's no blessing in that, you're wrong again. However, the blessing is in doing these things, not knowing these things".
The Apostles knew what Jesus had taught. He told them in Matt. 18 that whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest but they didn't put it into practice. We can learn all the lessons Jesus taught but if we don't practice them, we won't be blessed. There is a blessing in knowing the truth and understanding what we're supposed to do, but the greater blessing comes in doing what we know.
And the impact is greater. Following Jesus' example isn't just about how it benefits me personally, it's also about setting an example for others to follow and then watching them put it into practice. As I benefit from following Jesus' example, it's a blessing to inspire someone else to follow that example. I inspire you, you inspire her, she inspires them and so on. As that continues we have no idea how far that will go and how much blessing will come from it.
Another good example is found in 1 Peter 2. Peter talked about how we need to be willing to suffer for doing good. Then he gives us Christ's example on how to do it.
1st Pet. 2:21-23, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
Peter points to Jesus, who did nothing wrong yet suffered severely. We can deal with consequences when we're in the wrong but when we've done nothing wrong and we're suffering; that's when we cry, 'no fair'. But Jesus dealt with it gracefully and humbly. He didn't retaliate or threaten. He didn't resort to human responses, he reacted in a godly way-he turned it over to the Father.
When we've been falsely accused there's nothing wrong with making a defense and explaining our innocence. But if people choose not to believe us or worse, if we actually suffer as if we had done wrong, we need to maintain our integrity. People have been convicted of crimes they didn't commit. People have lost friendships and relationships over false rumors.
It's not fun to have people think something of you that isn't true, but we can suffer with our dignity intact. We don't resort to slander or vengeance, we turn it over to God and let him deal with it because we know even if no one else believes us, God knows the truth and ultimately that's all that matters.
Because Jesus endured suffering unjustly, we can too. Jesus set examples for us to follow and we need to set examples for others to follow. We need to be able to say, 'do as I do'.
2) Imitate me.
When we think of the word, imitation, we see it as a negative term, meaning, not as good as the real thing. But imitation is a good thing in regards to imitating someone who sets a good example. In 1st Cor. 4, we see Paul giving the church a lesson on humility, sacrifice and devotion. He gives his example and tells them to imitate it.
1st Cor. 4:11-17, "To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church."
On the surface, it might seem arrogant to hear Paul say, 'imitate me'. But he's not saying, 'you should be like me because I'm great'. That's not the purpose behind him saying that. And he's not conveying his hardships to gain sympathy or praise. He's not trying to draw attention to himself for himself. It's to show that he isn't someone who just talks a good game; he backs it up with action.
If we talk to people about what we've done in the faith it should be to inspire them to follow our godly example, not get them to think we're all that. When we talk about the importance of following biblical principles and then lead by example it lends validity to what we're saying.
When Paul said in 11:1, 'follow my example as I follow Christ', we see he could back it up. He mentions how he endured persecution and that he answered kindly when he was slandered. That's what Jesus did and that's the example Paul followed. People may agree with our words but they will be inspired to do what we say when they see us practice what we preach.
Paul talked about being their spiritual father. He took on the role of being their teacher and mentor in the faith; raising them up spiritually like he did with Timothy. He takes the responsibility of a good parent and leads by example. And he sends Timothy to them to confirm what Paul is saying and that his way of life agrees with what he teaches.
That's a good litmus test for us. Does our way of life agree with what we say? Do our actions confirm what we believe? In Luke 6:46 Jesus said, "Why do you call me Lord but don't do what I say?" If we're going to call Jesus Lord but not follow his commands then we're not honoring Jesus as Lord.
Paul wasn't perfect by any means, but he wanted to be someone fellow Christians could emulate. He saw Christ's character in the Apostles and others and since he benefitted greatly from their example, he wanted to pay it forward and be that example to others.
Think of the ones you know that have set a good example. They may not have outwardly said, 'imitate me' but they were focused on setting a good example for you to follow. Now it's our turn.
Putting ourselves out there to say, 'imitate me' is no small thing. It puts the spotlight on us; we're more transparent. It's more comfortable to be obscure and hide in the shadows; it's less demanding-less intimidating. But we are called to shine the light. People are watching us. Our focus on becoming more like Jesus isn't only for our benefit and spiritual growth, it's about being a good example for others to follow; Christians and non Christians alike.
3) Be a model.
There are different types of models. The men and women on the runways and in magazines are called models because they're showing whatever clothes or jewelry they're wearing. When you refer to a vehicle you give the make and model. The model of a vehicle represents the type. You have one maker, Ford, but they make various models of vehicles.
When you were younger you may have put together model cars or played with model trains; which are miniature replicas. A still life artist will use a model to paint from. If you're an upstanding member of society you may be known as a model citizen. A model citizen is someone who fits into the mold of the ideal person in the eyes of a town's citizens.
I can see how these variations can fit within the idea of being a godly model. We are to be clothed with Christ. Therefore, we are modeling the character of Jesus. We have one maker, God, but that maker makes different types of models. And we are to be replicas of God. And we should want to be the model citizen as we represent God to the world.
In the physical world, not everyone can be a model. Designers are looking for a certain look they feel will best represent whatever it is they're trying to sell. But when it comes to the spiritual world, everyone can be a model. The Thessalonian church was a model.
1st Thess. 1:6-7, "You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."
Here we see Paul showing the progression-Jesus set the example, Paul followed it and now the Thessalonians are following Paul's example. And as people started to follow the example Paul showed them when he was there, more joined them and over time they became a model to the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Their influence went beyond their congregation; even beyond their region!
Although they were dealing with suffering, when Paul came with the message of salvation through Christ, the Thessalonians received it with joy! They didn't scoff and say, 'Don't talk to us about Jesus-not with all the suffering we're going through'. It would be easy to have that attitude but the Thessalonians humbly recognized their great need and were joyful to hear about the sacrifice of Jesus.
Earlier in vs. 3, Paul gave thanks for their example of work produced by faith, their labor prompted by love and their endurance inspired by hope . I'm sure as Paul and Apollos travelled around they were telling others, especially those who were suffering like the Thessalonians, about how they received the message with joy and were living out their faith with love, perseverance and hope.
The Greek word Paul uses for model means, a pattern of behavior to be emulated. The Thessalonians set a pattern of godly behavior and character that others saw and were inspired to follow. One definition of a model is "an excellent example that deserves to be imitated". That's what we need to be-an excellent godly example that deserves to be imitated.
We can be like the Thessalonian church and continue to serve God and love others even when it's difficult. We can model perseverance despite our suffering. We can communicate hope through our words and actions. We can model Jesus' example of humility and devotion.
People need to see us model the character of Christ. Not that we'll do it perfectly, no one does, but when we know we have the responsibility of being ambassadors for Christ, we will take that seriously and be the best imitator of Jesus we can be. We do it for our own personal growth, to encourage the saints and to influence those who need salvation. We do it for the glory of God-our perfect model.
We use a variety of idioms that support the idea of doing what I say. Things like, 'Put your money where your mouth is', 'put up or shut up', 'practice what you preach'. These are all meant to imply that if you going to say it then do it. If you express faith in some principle or have confidence in something then you need to back it up with action.
Do as I do takes it further than do what I say. We can teach the right things but when we do the right thing we are showing that we truly believe what we are saying. And it sets an example that what we are saying is valid.
Then there's the 'do as I say, not as I do' problem. It's one thing to follow up my words with inaction; it's another thing to follow up my words with opposite action. We don't want to be hypocritical; teaching the truth but living a lie. Instead, let's be people who are able to say with conviction and confidence, 'do as I do' and set the right example.
