One of the gutsier things that pops up repeatedly in Paul’s letters is his unapologetic claim that the churches he ministers should imitate him. I think a case could be made that this element carried more importance in Paul’s understanding of his ministry than we might typically acknowledge, perhaps due to our preference for his more self-effacing statement about being the “chief of sinners”. Coming to grips with the other side of the equation, the bold “be like me” thrust, provides us with some good food for thought, though.

One “be like me” statement is a more critical element in the letter to the  Philippians than is usually acknowledged. Philippians is full of some very personal and passionate narratives of Paul’s life of faith, and of course the wonderful material in chapter 2 highlights Christ’s example of selflessness.   In the end of the second chapter though, the letter shifts to notes about a couple of Paul’s co-workers, Timothy and Epaphroditus.  It’s not the part of Philippians we typically read devotionally or in worship, but Paul’s discussion of these two brothers really serves a critical part of his rhetorical strategy in the letter.  Paul’s purpose in the letter is to help solve a divide in the church, most apparently caused by a rift between two women in the Church, Euodia and Syntyche. His letter works to that end, and all thats written there about Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus works to that common purpose.  They serve as examples, showing the letter’s recipients that the people they honored and loved all lived selfless and sacrificial lives.  Importantly, the autobiographical bits of the letter in chapters 1 and 3 aren’t diversions, but importantly fit directly into that rhetorical strategy, calling upon the Philippians’ desire to be like Paul, even in his sacrificial way of living for the sake of Christ.  All of that, of course, brings us to Phil 3:17.

It’s near the end of his rhetorical push, after Paul’s given all those examples, and he says, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” It’s not a side statement, but an important part of his messge in the letter, and perhaps even his whole ministry.  Paul isn’t scared to say, “Be like me.” It’s really a mouthful.  Complementing Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples was one thing, and the Christological section is natural enough, but the offering of himself as an example boldly punctuates his argument with a deeply personal conviction, giving ultimate testimony that what Paul genuinely believes in the behavior he wishes the recipients to practice.

I want to live like that.  I want to live in such a way, that I can freely turn to the people I love and say, “This is the way to live.” I want to have that boldness and the integrity that makes it possible.

Our vitality as a community of faith depends on the life example that members of our body make available to others.  Typically, we only offer limited visions of ourselves, the self-effacing messages of our own weaknesses, a message which says, “Don’t be like me.”  It’s important for the sake of our ongoing community, though, that we learn to give testimony to how our lives have followed Jesus’s way, and what that has meant and looked like.  How has our path of discipleship changed us?  In what way could I commend my path to others, saying, “It would be good for you to become something like me.”?  I know many of us feel the responsibility to live that way in our families, before our children.  What about in our community of faith?