1 Corinthians 11:1 
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (NIV)

“Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (CSB)

Philippians 2:5  “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (NIV)

1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (NIV)

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“Watch how I do it.”

Dad said those words to me many different times as I was growing up. This was wonderfully helpful. This is how boys and girls have learned to do the work of adult men and women for thousands of years. This is how we learn to do life, too. 

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:1 contain at least two big ideas. The first is “Follow my example.” Paul provided a pattern people could see, consider, discuss with him, and then implement in their own lives. Seeing is believing. It’s also instructive. 

Sometimes we wonder why people do things the way they do. After watching them do it for a while, things tend to become clearer, and when they’re not clear, we can ask questions. We might even challenge an idea or two. Then, once we’re clear on the objective and the process, we can put these things to work in our own lives.  

The second big idea is “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ.” Paul’s most important instruction is to imitate Jesus. Paul was a pretty good guy. He was well educated. He was well formed in his spiritual pathway. And he experienced a radical reorientation when he met Jesus. He came to know the difference between legalism and grace. If there’s one instruction we need a little more of these days, it’s how to err on the side of grace. 

I love reading. I also enjoy YouTube videos when I’m trying to learn something new. I read instructions. I also watch how others do it. Together, these two things are powerful partners in learning. 

What did Jesus teach Paul that Paul was seeking to pass on to us? Philippians 2:5-11 gives us the answer. In short, Jesus teaches us humble obedience. Paul’s great learning and life experiences could have made him an arrogant know-it-all. But being blinded by Jesus reorients everything you think you know. 

When Paul talked about watching how he lived his life, he wanted people to see that he was following Jesus’ example in humble obedience. Both of those words are important. Humility is essential. Obedience is where life’s greatest blessings are found. Combining humility and obedience is the pathway to true heavenly greatness. 

There’s more to learn than this one big idea, as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:21. Jesus gave us examples to follow in many different real-world situations, and we are to follow in his steps. Leonard Sweet provides us with a book title that takes this idea out of mundane religious instruction and turns it into a joyful lifestyle. He titles his book Soul Salsa. 

This title is so good because we often make humble obedience sound dull, boring, and not much fun. Humble obedience made Peter and Paul miracle workers. Humble obedience made them the kind of authors whose works are still read and taken seriously two thousand years later. Humble obedience that made them men worth imitating.

Who is your Peter or Paul? Who is following Jesus with deep, humble obedience? All of us need mentors, men and women who have been there, done that, and can help us follow in the steps of Jesus. 

Who is your Timothy or John Mark? Who is that person you are passing along wise instruction to? Who are you helping learn the steps of Jesus’ soul salsa? All of us need to pour into others what has been poured into us. All of us need to learn to say, with integrity and authority, “Watch how I do it.”

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I will follow Jesus’ example so others can learn his steps by watching me. 

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Our Father, teach me your rhythms of life and living. Teach me the steps I need to take to journey through each season well. Bless me with mentors who can show me the way I should go. Make me a trustworthy mentor for others who are likewise on this journey with you. Amen.