My Fellow Imitators

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” St. Paul exhorts the faithful congregation in Philippi in this way to follow the pattern of the Christian life which He has taught them, and which they have learned by the example of the apostle and others leading them in the Faith.

He says “Join in imitating me”. That is, literally, “become my fellow imitators”. St. Paul exhorts the Philippians to imitate not just him, but with him to imitate our Lord Christ. For who is Paul? An apostle, called by God, yes. But Paul is just a man, like you and like any other man on earth. He is a sinner, with faults and failings, evil desires and inability to keep even the smallest of the Law's demands.

So do not imitate St. Paul, but rather imitate Christ with St. Paul. This is why the apostle says, “keep your eyes focused on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Walk, not according to the ways of the world, not according to the wanderings of your own sinful heart and flesh, but keep your eyes focused on those who walk according to the good example. Walk after those who have gone ahead in the narrow way.

In this way, we commemorate those who have gone before us, such as St. Matthias. Though he was a replacement, he walked in a manner worthy of the calling to be an apostle. Moreover, he was counted worthy to suffer martyrdom at the hands of the pagans for the sake of his preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hold firm in imitating Christ according to this type.

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” Many people, even many people whom you know, and people of whom you have often heard, walk now as enemies of the cross of Christ. Many people do not walk in a manner worthy of Christ and His calling.

“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” The end of sinners is destruction, because they serve a god of nothingness. For the belly of man is an in-and-out operation. The desires of the sinful heart are unfulfilling, but all-consuming. So you become what you worship. When you worship emptiness and bottomlessness, you become empty and void. When you worship something that is not alive, that is deaf and dumb and blind, you set as your standard and example to become dead and insensible. When you resolve to serve only the passions of the flesh, you become as mere flesh.

Many people walk as enemies of the cross of Christ, openly opposing their Savior and despising His work and His gifts. But you are no better off than they. For neither do you walk in a manner worthy of your calling as children of God. Sure, you restrain the gross evil that lurks in the bottom of your sinful nature. You generally obey the civil law, pay your taxes, and all that. You have not murdered anyone or stolen anyone's wife.

But what about your so-called “respectable sins”? Those sins which are easier to hide, or perhaps you do not feel such a need to hide. How do you handle the Name of the Lord? Do you call upon it in every trouble? Or do you call upon the name of Uncle Sam? The authorities of this state and nation deserve your honor and respect, because of the office they hold. Do you honor them with your honor, love, and obedience? You owe it to all people to put the best construction on everything, to explain everything in the kindest way. Does your talk reflect that?

Perhaps you know your sins. And you hide them where you think no one will see them. If you do not acknowledge them, maybe they will deal with themselves. Or perhaps you do not know the extent of your fallen nature, and you think that you are basically a good person. You do not commit the gross public sins of those other people. Either way, you have failed. You have failed to keep the standard of the Law. You have failed to walk in a manner worthy of your calling. You have failed to keep the example of the saints who have gone before you in imitating our perfect Lord. Repent.

But from heaven we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. You await the One sent from heaven to take away your sins. He is the type of a faithful Son of God. He is the perfect example according to the Law of God. He has fulfilled all things. But He is more than just an excellent example. For He has done what you could never have hoped to accomplish.

He has taken your sins upon Himself, and has died the death due for your transgressions. He has died that you might live. He forsook His citizenship in heaven, His throne and His crown, so that you might receive the rights of sonship from the Heavenly Father. He gives you citizenship in heaven, access to the throne of God, where He ever stands for you as your Mediator and great high priest.

Christ Jesus our Lord has taken upon Himself all the death and destruction which were your lot, and in exchange has given you forgiveness, life, and salvation. And He has transformed not only your mind and soul, but He has redeemed and sanctified your body – your flesh and blood. For He is possessed of a human body, complete like yours. And He has transformed your body to be like His glorious body. You are buried with Him into a death like His, that you might live full of His life. You no longer live, but Christ lives in you.

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

In the Name of Jesus. Amen.