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This verse is taken from:
1 Corinthians 11. 1; 4. 16
“search the scriptures” John 5:39
With this exhortation Paul, having taught consideration and love toward others, closes the teaching of the previous chapter. He will not abuse his liberty but will follow Christ and glorify Him in all things.
Paul not only imparted doctrine but also led a life which others could imitate, qualified, however, only in so far as he followed Christ. This is a profound lesson for all teachers and preachers for we must first ‘practise what we preach’. Then, and only then, can we rightfully expect the attention of our hearers. Note that it is not a question of following Paul blindly, for he would be followed only so far as he followed Christ.
In all His service Christ sought to do all things to the glory of God. Many subsequent servants have fallen into the snare of seeking their own glory but Paul followed the supreme example of Christ, doing all that he could in the name of Christ, and to the glory of God by Him.
He worked hard to ensure a conscience void of offence to God and man. In this connection, think of the example of the Lord, who was holy in His nature, harmless and inoffensive in His manner of life. It is a mark of Paul’s faithfulness in the service of Christ that he could make such a statement as this. Those who read this letter would no doubt observe his every action to see whether he really was following Christ. Would this be a test which very few believers who lived before or since could measure up to?
The standard is the highest it could possibly be, Christ Himself. He ‘pleased not himself’, Rom. 15. 3, but condescended ‘to men of low estate’, Rom. 12. 16. He came from heaven, a step of wondrous grace that cannot be measured, then onward to Calvary, ‘mercy’s vast unfathomed sea’, to suffer there for those who did not return His love.
In all things we should be imitators of Him, the author and finisher of faith. One of the most important questions a Christian could ask is: ‘Am I reproducing Christ in my life’? When others look on and see our behaviour, our whole demeanour of life, do they see Him?
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