My Memory Moleskine: Imitating Godliness

Working through the final verses of Philippians chapter three couldn’t have come at a better time for me.

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is their destruction, their god is their belly and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Phil 3:17-21)

I love this call to be imitators of godly people. And I know I’ve written on this before at least once, but it’s something that can’t be stressed too much.

Thursday, I took a few hours while I was working to listen to catch up on the messages I’ve missed from my church while I’ve been out preaching (as well as a couple from Josh Howerton). And I was reminded listening to Norm speak how much I have to learn from him. One of the things that always impresses me is how well he balances earnest, firm contention for the truth with a real pastor’s heart. He’s never afraid to say that something is wrong, to call out sin or false teaching, but you know when he does it that it’s because he cares for people.

He doesn’t want to see people continue in sin. He doesn’t want people to be deceived. He does want people to know Jesus as He is described in the Bible.

That’s the kind of guy I want to imitate.

Do you have someone in your life that you can say is worth following the example of? Who is that person?