Galatians 4:12
“I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong”.
Paul is confident in His relationship with the Lord. He tells the Galatians, "become as I am". He says this again in I Corinthians 11:1, "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ." The idea of being a christian is to be like Christ, but Paul is going a step further. He's saying, "Be like Christ. I am following the Lord and living like Him, follow me as I follow Him", (my paraphrase).
This is very helpful, as most of the Galatians had never seen Jesus. They learned of His teachings and they had learned how they are to live. Paul is an example of Jesus. If they had some questions, they could ask him or copy his example.
This is a great teaching model. It's much easier to learn a task by following another's example. That's one of the reasons why Youtube is so popular. We can see an instant example of how to do something.
We are also to be examples of Christ. A mature christian should be able to give the same claim, "Follow me as I follow Christ". This isn't being arrogant as it's in Scripture. The last part of I Timothy 4:12 says, "show yourself an example of those who believe".
Some may say that Timothy was a pastor in which there is a higher standard. True. However, there are other scriptures which tell us to be an example. Hebrews 5:12 says, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." This is referring to ordinary believers. The writer is telling them that they should be teachers of the faith; passing on what they've learned.
This is quite a privilege. The Lord wants us all to be capable and to instruct others. This may seem intimidating. However, there is always someone who could use our help. The Lord wants to bless people, sometimes He wants to use us to do so.
Sometimes being the Lord's representative involves a certain amount of risk. Which means that fear and anxiety may be what we're feeling. Isaiah 41:13 says, 'For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you: "Do not fear, I will help you."' We may have to say something or just to be christlike in a particular situation. The Lord will give us the calm required, the words to speak or the actions to take.
Sometimes we may be disappointed in the outcome. We are to trust the Lord with that. He is sovereign and will work it out. We aren't to obsess over our performance. We should take what could be learned and look to today, a new day.
The Lord spreads His message in various ways. Primarily, He acts behind the scenes and in the hearts of everyone. When Paul was preaching the message in Acts 17:28, he said, "for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'" This is the entirety of life; living, moving and have our being. We are unaware of most, but the Lord is very much involved in all aspects of our lives.
In addition to this, He uses us to spread His message. Our example, words and attitudes have an affect on others. He has orchestrated much of this. We go through situations. Sometimes we struggle. We agonize over things and go to Him for help and assistance. He helps us. Sometimes it's over night, other times it takes a while.
These tough times are like the reference in Psalm 23, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear, for Thou art with me". Every one goes through tough seasons. The Lord wants to help us. David was sought by Saul and the powers of government to be killed. It was so for years. There were some very close calls. Many of the Psalms speak of his great struggles. The Lord wants to assist us as well.
The Lord brings our response to the attention of others. They get curious as to whether the Lord is an option for assistance. This is what it means follow me as I follow Christ.
Lord, help us to be Your witnesses. Help us to respond in a manner worthy of You. When we could have done better, help us to learn, accept Your grace and move on. Thank You for the great privilege of participating in helping others. May Your power help us to do well.