Philippians 3:17-19

“Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” vs. 17

Paul’s conviction that humility was the most significant virtue in the life of a believer did not diminish his self-confidence one single bit. When he was trying to demonstrate for the Philippians what the new life in Christ was like, he unapologetically told them to imitate himself, and to carefully observe the people they knew who were already doing just that. Was this a lapse into arrogance? Not at all! Paul is simply writing with the confidence of a preacher who practiced what he preached! Would that we all could say to those who hunger for spiritual depth, “These are my spiritual practices, why don’t you give them a try!” It seems a simple thing to do and we’re used to doing it with other things. Instructors of all kinds will often say, “Watch me and do what I do,” but we’re reluctant to act with such confidence when it comes to faith. Our tendency is to privatize our spiritual convictions and be silent about what we believe. And that would be okay except for one thing. Our core values are foundational for the best life, and unless we’re willing to share them, others will never know! And keeping our mouths shut is certainly not a mark of genuine humility. This would be a horrible world if the best of us were silent.

Thought for the Day: What is my most imitable practice?