Post by Ely on Aug 10, 2007 13:51:00 GMT -8
A Copycat Theory
In the apostolic writings, there is a recurrent idea of copying others. Paul wrote to the brethren in Philippi:
“Be fellow-imitators of me, brothers, and consider those walking this way, even as you have us for a pattern.” (Philippians 3:17)
To many modern ears, this seems rather arrogant. But Paul is blatantly telling these saints to imitate the way he lived and to follow those people who imitated the way he lived. Again, he said to the Corinthians:
“I urge you, be imitators of me. Because of this I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved child, and faithful in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Moshiach, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly” (1 Cor 4:16-18 cf. 1 Thess 1:7-9, 2 Thess 2:14, etc.)
So Paul is actually sending Timothy to remind the Corinthians as to how Paul lived – in order that they might imitate him, and this is the same teaching that he gives to all the assemblies he has contact with!
Paul commended Timothy to others because he knew Timothy copied his way of living. In turn, he told both Timothy and Titus to make themselves patterns for others to imitate:
“Let no one despise your youth, but become an example of the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:11)
And to Titus, he says:
“hold yourself forth as a pattern of good works about all things in doctrine, in purity, sensibleness, incorruption, in sound speech, without condemnation” (Titus 2:7-8)
He also told saints to imitate the leaders among them:
“Remember your leaders who spoke the Word of God to you, considering the issue of their conduct, imitate their faith.” (Heb 13:7 see also 1 Peter 5:3).
But “if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:4). How are the people of Adonai supposed to know who to follow and who not to follow? Baruch Hashem, He has given us a perfect example to follow - Yeshua is the standard, the guide, the blueprint! All of Adonai’s people are to follow His son. The shepherds are under the chief shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4). Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am also of Messiah” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Yeshua is the example for all belivers, as Jochanan stated in plain terms, “The one claiming to rest in him ought so to walk himself as that one walked.” (John 2:7)
So, how did Yeshua walk? How did he live? What was his guide? Well, like his father David, Yeshua rejoiced in . He lovingly walked in it and taught others to do likewise (Matt 5:17-19, 19:17, etc). The earliest Messanic community including the three so-called pillars imitated Yeshua, walking in and teaching others to do so (Acts 10:12-14, Yakov 1:21-25, Yochanan 2:3-4, etc). Likewise, Paul obeyed Yeshua and the early Messanic believers and faithfully observed and taught others to do so (Acts 21:24, 25:7-8, Romans 2:11-13, 3:31, 7:1– 8:11, etc). Infact, we look for the Olam Haba when all nations will copy Yeshua and observe (Isaiah 2:3, Zecharaiah 14:16, etc.).
May Adonai Elohaynu graciously enable us to be faithful copy-cats! Let us love Him with all our heart and strive to observe His in such a way that others will want to imitate us as we imitate Moshiach.