17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.
As believers, we are to be careful whom we mimic, whom we choose to follow, whom we count as our examples, our role models, our close companions and confidents. Scripture tells us that a companion of fools will suffer harm:
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov 13:20 (NIV)
Certainly, folly is found in the advice of the foolish. In contrast, we are to emulate those who we desire our lives to mimic. In the book that bears his name, James takes it even further by equating friendship with the world with hatred towards God:
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4 (NIV)
“When sin penetrated the hearts of Adam and Eve, they not only became alienated from God, but they also became alienated from each other. When Jesus died on the Cross, He made it possible for all who believe in Him to be in fellowship with God—and also in godly fellowship with one another. Godly friendships are the evidence of our belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. But godly friendships are not found; they are made. They are built up stone by stone. They are established on biblical principles.” Michael Youssef
In our verses for today, Paul urges his readers to follow his example and not the ways of the world. Prompted by love, he urges the Corinthians as a father would a son. He genuinely longed for their best; his goal was to bring about a change of heart and manner in them:
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1 Cor 4:14-16 (NIV)
These were not merely idle words for Paul whose personal mandate was to passionately pursue walking in a manner worthy of Christ. He was not equating himself with Christ rather Paul by precept and example sought to imitate His Lord:
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Cor 11:1 (NIV)
“Take heed that you do not glory in your graces, but let all your glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for this is the only way you can be kept from falling. Pray more often. Spend longer periods of time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation emit the fragrance of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for the souls of others. So live that others may recognize that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him...On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, ‘Sustain me according to your promise.’ He, and He alone, is able ‘to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.’” Charles H. Spurgeon
Lastly, it broke Paul’s heart that many continued to live as enemies of the cross of Christ - seeking and keeping their minds saturated on earthly things. Paul warns the Philippian believers against their being consumed in such a way with the perishing things of this world. He writes in Colossians similar words:
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Col 3:1-2 (NIV)
We are to “put to death” practices that harm both ourselves and others and “”clothe ourselves” with the virtues of Christ which will clearly affect our relationships with our families and our spheres of influence. Remember as well, we are controlled by what our hearts and minds are set upon. When our minds are set on what our sinful flesh desires it ultimately leads to death but if they are set on what Christ desires it leads to life and peace. This is why Paul was so torn in his spirit in writing to the Philippians as one choice leads to death and the other to life. Oh that we should all be so moved as Paul. He writes in Romans:
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Romans 8:5-9 (NIV)
“An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin, and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is rebellion! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly! My soul, never laugh at sin’s fooleries, lest thou come to smile at sin itself. It is thine enemy, and thy Lord’s enemy – view it with detestation, for so only canst thou evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.” C.H. Spurgeon