Many well-meaning Christians in the church today aspire to follow Jesus and honour His example. We often hear the quote, "What would Jesus do?" and based on the answer, one would act out that which they believe Jesus would do. Though this is a well-meaning thing to do and the intentions of the person doing this would be noble, I do want to point out that it is scripturally inaccurate to do this, and, if not kept in check, can lead one back into law and suppress the liberty we should experience daily under the influence of the 'Spirit of Life'.
In order to validate the above, let's first take a moment to recall what Jesus said in this regard,
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
To follow Jesus in the above statements means to copy the pattern of Jesus and to do what Jesus did and instructed. But there is one problem that we as grace believers must account for, —at the time Jesus said this, He was living UNDER THE LAW! We must realize that Jesus was born a Jew (Galatians 4:4) and lived under the strict code of law (Matthew 5:17) as taught and required of any Jew at that time.
In addition to this, Jesus entire earthly ministry was directed EXCLUSIVELY to the Jews, as confirmed by His own words,
Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Everything Jesus did and said was to prepare the Jews for their coming inheritance, the Millennial Kingdom. The example he set was specific for their program and their destiny. The signs and miracles, promoting the law, His teachings, His instructions for them to be baptized and sell all they had... It was all under the Kingdom program and exclusive for the Jews.
We must follow Paul
After Jesus ascension, He appeared to Paul (Acts 9) and provided him with progressive revelations pertaining to a whole new program specific to the Gentiles, the program of grace.
Since Paul was the original recipient of this new program, containing new instructions on how to live and grow, it makes sense that Paul would tell the Gentiles to follow his example, as he himself followed the instructions of life given to him. Who better to follow than the person who has the new instructions from the risen and glorified Christ. Paul clearly indicates that he was the pattern to follow for all those who would after him become saved into the Body of Christ,
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
One should now understand why Paul wrote the following instructions to the Body of Christ, not contradicting what Jesus said, but simply understood from a new program under grace instead of the previous program of law towards the Jews,
1 Corinthians 4:15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Paul was a divinely separated vessel or this purpose (Acts 9:15). The Lord has made him the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). To Paul was given the mysteries of this new program,
Ephesians 3:1-5 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;
1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
In order to follow Jesus TODAY, we need to ask, "What would Paul do as he followed Christ?" and then use that as your example to do and say.
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