Contemplative Bible Reading

Philippians 3:17 (New Living Translation)

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

When was the last time you heard a preacher proclaim, “Live like me!”

My answer, “Never.”

Yet here is Paul writing to the Philippians and telling them to live like him. Paul also adds to live like others who follow our example. I am not sure who “our” is – some group of people.

We live in a world where more people can read the Bible than ever before in human history. The Bible is available, if nothing else via the Internet, available in more languages, and there are more people on the planet who can read.

This was not Paul’s world. Personal example was the predominant teacher. Perhaps today personal example is still the best teacher for many of us. I think Paul was telling the Philippians, “Look to those who follow Jesus. Imitate their lives.”

Still pretty good advice, even in our world of literacy.