Who are You Following?

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Until the last few years, roads on the Navajo reservation were mostly just dirt tracks. There were no signs of any kind. As a result, the easiest way to get anywhere was and often still, was to get someone who’d been there to lead the way. Even good directions can leave one unsure that he is going the right way, until one arrives.

Many wedding and funeral receptions are held at someone’s home, and frequently guests don’t know where the home is located, and need to follow other vehicles to get to the reception. After winding up at the wrong house a couple of times, I learned not to assume that everyone in the line of cars was going to the same place. Sometimes several members of a family would choose not to go to the reception, or need to swing by their house to pick up something. Since their direction might follow the same road for a while, it would appear they were going to the same place. If you followed them, you’d be in the wrong place.

By finding out who was going directly to my destination, and focusing on them, rather than simply following the car ahead of me, I didn’t end up at the wrong house, because I was watching a car I knew was going in the right direction, even though it might be several cars ahead of me.

While it is possible to get to the right place by getting directions is offers a lot of confidence. To follow Paul, and other strong Christians has the same effect on our spiritual development. Unfortunately, There may be some going the same way at the moment, who have no intention of going where we are supposed to go. It may be someone like the person who lives out in the same direction and uses the same road part of the way, who just happens to fall into line at the particular time.

As Christians, there are also those who deliberately join in in a deliberate effort to lead us astray. God warns us repeatedly about these. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (I Timothy 4:1-3)

II Peter 2:1-3 Tells us that these are to be found in every group.. “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Some of these appear as the greatest Christian leaders, because they are Satanically empowered . “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (II Corinthians 11:13-15)

Because of the danger of being misled, Paul warns us to follow his example, and to notice who else is really following his example. If they take other routes detours and shortcuts, they may not be headed for the same place, or they may get lost along the way.

“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” (Philippians 3:17-19)

Not only should we notice who is following Paul’s example, but also those who are not. We need to stay away from those, even though it may result in being accused of being un Christian. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple,” (Romans 16:17-18).

To avoid falling for these false teachers lies, Paul warns Timothy to focus on the scripture because he knows they are true, and because nothing more is needed. “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:14-17)

If we remember that we are jus here temporarily, and that our real home and life is in heaven, we will begin to understand that many of the teachings interfere with our spiritual growth, rather than helping. It is Christ who changes us to be what glorifies God, not our efforts. Like a piece of clay, we need to simply yield to his shaping. Our efforts are like lumps in the clay.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Philippians 3:20-4:1)