Follow me
I have been reflecting on something the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1 lately. The New International Version says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”. The New King James Version says, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ”.
There is a real sense of “do what I do, as I do what Jesus did”. It is not “do what I say or do what I tell you to do”. Paul is telling us to follow his lead and do the things that he himself is doing. To me that is real leadership. It is living out what you believe and are trying to put in to practice yourself and then asking others to do the same.
It reminds me of when Jesus called the first Disciples. His words were just “Follow me…” (Matthew 4:19). Both the statement from Paul and Jesus were simple and to the point. They were just saying follow me and do the same things I am doing.
When I go into church today I am going to write 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Matthew 4:19 out and stick them on my wall in my office. That way every time I see them, I will stop and reflect on how I am going on following Jesus and following Paul’s example.
