by David Scott Robertson
"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1
The Apostle Paul wrote the words quoted above.
Now there was a man worth following.
But even Paul was only worth following as He followed Jesus.
"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" (I Thessalonians 1:6).
What about you?
Are you worth following?
Could you rightly say with Paul, "follow my example as I follow the example of Christ"?
What if everyone in the church was like you?
What if everyone's financial stewardship matched yours?
Do you tithe? Do you give offerings above the tithe?
Could the church afford to pay the mortgage?
Could they pay the preacher and his staff?
Could they afford to keep the utilities on?
Would there be any money for missions?
What if everyone in the church served like you?
What if everyone's faithfulness level matched yours?
Could the church staff its classes with teachers like you?
Could they staff their nurseries?
Could they offer children and youth ministries?
Could they prepare communion and keep the building clean?
Would the needs of the poor and underserved be met?
Are you available or too busy for God's work?
What if everyone in the church won souls like you?
What if everyone's heart for evangelism matched yours?
Would the church be growing?
Would it even exist in ten years? (Experts report that there's nearly a 10% annual attrition rate in most churches.)
Would the kingdom of God be expanding?
Would people be added to the church daily such as should be saved?
Would there be more new believers on December 31st than January 1st of the same year because of your compassion (and corresponding action) for souls?
What if everyone in the church discipled people like you?
What if everyone's passion to make disciples matched yours?
Would there be any new disciples?
Would the harvest be conserved and retained?
Would there be any new leaders emerging?
Would there be a new crop of excited and motivated Christians ready to carry out the vision to win more souls and make more disciples?
What if everyone in the church had your zeal for God's work?
What if everyone's level of commitment to the vision matched yours?
Would they submit to the leadership of the church?
Would they support the church in prayers, attendance, giving, and participation in the vision?
Would they be "pillars in the house of God" that can be built on
Or would they be so unreliable that the leadership could not go forward with the God's plan because they never would know whether you were really in or really out?
If I were to follow your example,
How would I do on the Day of Judgment?
What would Jesus say to me when it's my turn to give an account for my life on earth?
Would He be able to say "well done, good and faithful servant" or "you buried your talents in the ground"?
Let me ask you again…
Are you worth following?
None of us are worth following if we live carnal, self-centered lives.
But anyone who makes it their determined goal in life to be like Jesus...
To do the works of Jesus in the power of the Spirit…
To fulfill His vision to win souls and make disciples (the Great Commission)…
And to love the Father and love our neighbors (the Great Commandment)…
That person is worth following.
DSR
4/28/03