March 13, 2022

Samuel Yun

Imitating Those Who Imitate Christ ~ Philippians 3:17-4:1

It takes some major chutzpah to challenge people to imitate your spiritual life.  This would border on self-righteousness, wouldn’t it?  Yet, this is exactly what Paul does as he writes to the church in Philippi.  And if it were not for his extended confession made before this challenge – that everything he gained in terms of earthly success and reputation has become garbage/loss/dung in comparison to knowing Christ – I would be tempted to dismiss him as an arrogant Pharisaic leopard who has not changed his spots quite yet.  Of course, the truth is that Paul had completely surrendered his life and his earthly crowns in exchange for an identity that is rooted in Christ.  That is why he can call out those whose “god is their belly” and those whose “minds are set on earthly things.”

Let us be reminded that our ultimate residence is not here on earth; our citizenship is in heaven.  And let us seek to follow those who diligently and intentionally live as such.  Too many people live as imitation Christians rather than as imitators of Christ.  They just go through the religious motions without ever being “conformed to the body of [Christ’s] glory.”  But not Paul.  He absolutely imitated Christ.  He let go of all things, including his very self to be like the One who completely emptied Himself.  So, we can and should imitate Paul, as we should imitate all the saints who gave up everything on earth to gain everything in heaven.

Reflection: Who do you find yourself imitating these days? What earthly things do you need to give up in order to set your mind more on the things of heaven?