Philippines 3:17-18,
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Now let's look at a very powerful verse of scripture. Paul admonishes us to mark them that have made the change inwardly. They are not just outward talk but they have become examples or patterns that can and should be followed. They represent, if you will, what a Christian is and you can pattern yourself after them. Paul is a our example of what Christianity is, and at the same time he tells them what it isn't also. You understand, Paul being sent to the gentiles who had no upbringing in the things of God as an Israelite had, was dealing with heathens that had multiple gods and knew nothing about the one true God. That is another reason Paul gives so much information on earth living, the gentiles were heathen and lived according to the flesh.
Even the disciples that followed Jesus, when the time came and their test came they miserably failed, not a one stuck with Jesus in his greatest hour of need. Point being just an outer following is not enough you must make the change, changed from an outer believer to an inward knower. You know it's Christ that lives in you, you know you have no life of your own, you have reckoned yourself dead. Simply because that is fact, you don't grow into death, you we're crucified with Christ and you are dead, you have to reckon that before change is made in you.
Those that are never capable of making such a radical change Paul calls them "enemies of the cross of Christ." What is the difference between those that follow and those that follow a pattern. A follower goes by what is in their mind, by what they think it should look like. Those that follow a pattern have the plans like building a house they go by, the blueprint and it turns out. You cannot go by just what you think you need a pattern. Christ in you is your blueprint, Paul is trying when he writes to get us to see Christ as your life because in that you will have the blueprint for life. If you have not been able to put life together yet, regroup some and begin to follow the blueprint.
How do I do that, listen to the Apostle Paul, follow him because he will lead you into the understanding of Christ as the life of the believer, Ephesians 3:1-7,
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
17Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Now let's look at a very powerful verse of scripture. Paul admonishes us to mark them that have made the change inwardly. They are not just outward talk but they have become examples or patterns that can and should be followed. They represent, if you will, what a Christian is and you can pattern yourself after them. Paul is a our example of what Christianity is, and at the same time he tells them what it isn't also. You understand, Paul being sent to the gentiles who had no upbringing in the things of God as an Israelite had, was dealing with heathens that had multiple gods and knew nothing about the one true God. That is another reason Paul gives so much information on earth living, the gentiles were heathen and lived according to the flesh.
Even the disciples that followed Jesus, when the time came and their test came they miserably failed, not a one stuck with Jesus in his greatest hour of need. Point being just an outer following is not enough you must make the change, changed from an outer believer to an inward knower. You know it's Christ that lives in you, you know you have no life of your own, you have reckoned yourself dead. Simply because that is fact, you don't grow into death, you we're crucified with Christ and you are dead, you have to reckon that before change is made in you.
Those that are never capable of making such a radical change Paul calls them "enemies of the cross of Christ." What is the difference between those that follow and those that follow a pattern. A follower goes by what is in their mind, by what they think it should look like. Those that follow a pattern have the plans like building a house they go by, the blueprint and it turns out. You cannot go by just what you think you need a pattern. Christ in you is your blueprint, Paul is trying when he writes to get us to see Christ as your life because in that you will have the blueprint for life. If you have not been able to put life together yet, regroup some and begin to follow the blueprint.
How do I do that, listen to the Apostle Paul, follow him because he will lead you into the understanding of Christ as the life of the believer, Ephesians 3:1-7,
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
