Philippians 3:17 Brothers, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample. Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an ensample. I. THE DUTY OF FOLLOWING GOOD EXAMPLES. 1. We are commanded to do so. (1 Corinthians 11:1.) 2. The lives of many saints are expressly recorded for our imitation. (James 5:10, 11, 17; Philippians 4:9.) 3. the imitation is limited by several circumstances. (1) By the example of Christ: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1. Corinthians 11:1). (2) We are not to imitate such actions of good men as are to be condemned, nor even all such as are not condemned (Genesis 19:8; Genesis 42:15, 16; Genesis 27:25 -27). (3) The Word of God is to decide the rightness or the wrongness of the actions of good men. II. THE USES OF SUCH IMITATION. 1. It stimulates to higher and better living. We are therefore to imitate good men in the graces for which they are most distinguished (Numbers 12:3; 1 Samuel 2:18; Job 1:21; Acts 5:41). 2. It is afresh recommendation of the gospel. (Matthew 5:16.) 3. It gives greater glory to God. (Romans 7:4.) - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. |
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