As a husband, father, pastor, and professional counselor, I am constantly considering the example I give to those I have an impact on. It is something I take serious. A good example is a powerful thing in someone’s life…the same as a bad example can be.

When I think about the idea of being an example, I often think of what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1,

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

With that statement, he is wrapping up a challenge he has been giving to his readers. This challenge begins back in verse 23 of chapter 10. Verses 23 and 24 says,

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Paul is referring to our right to do what we want. That’s a right we all like and will fight for. We don’t like people telling us what we can and can’t do…to the point that sometimes we will intentionally do what we are told not to, just because. But here, Paul is challenging us with the truth that it’s not about what we have the right to do, it’s about what we should do.

To make his point, we uses the example of a common issue at his time; eating meat that was once sacrificed to false gods and idols. Paul’s main point is not to tell them if they should or shouldn’t. Instead he tells them how to approach and think about the scenario. They have a right to eat it, but if it is brought up by someone who has a problem with it, they should consider that and not eat it. It’s ultimately about doing what’s right by the other person. Which Paul highlights when he concludes his point in verses 31-33,

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

It is not about our rights. It’s about glorifying God. And that means we have to be willing to put others before ourselves, to make sacrifices when necessary in order to point them to Christ.

Christ’s Example

If Paul is following Christ’s example, and we should be following his example as he is doing that, then let’s remind ourselves of Christ’s example. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for us, giving up all of his rights in order to seek after and offer salvation to us. He didn’t argue for his rights as the perfect Son of God, he willingly gave them all up for us. His love for us is completely sacrificial.

Philippians 2:6-8 tells us this about Christ’s sacrifice,

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

That is Christ’s example!

One last thing I want to highlight from Paul’s statement is that there’s a provision built into it. You can see it in the phrase “as I follow…”. If Paul is not following the example of Christ, then we should not follow Paul’s example. It’s when he is following after Christ’s example that we can follow his example. Paul is not pointing to himself, he’s pointing to Christ as the example that he and we should all follow after.

Our Example

Could I say what Paul says? Am I able to tell people my example is worth following because I’m following the example of Christ? Can you say that?

That’s a big challenge, and one that should be taken serious.

We all have those around us that we have an impact on. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, fellow students, etc. If they followed our example, would it point them to Jesus? If they followed our example, would we have confidence that we would be leading them to Jesus?

My challenge for all of us today is to take some time to think about and consider the kind of example we are to others. Are there things we do that we would not want others to emulate? Are we following Christ’s example in our own life? Pray about that, asking God to show you areas where you may need to adjust your decisions and actions in order to be following Christ’s example, so that others who are watching you can see Christ’s example in your life as well.

Because it is ultimately living a life that glorifies God, and being an example that points others to Christ.