Integrity was his confidence, yet without arrogance. Very few would dare tread where Paul goes in his teaching. He is actually using himself as an example of how to live the Christian life! Paul would never have said, “Do as I say, not as I do.” His life was an extension of his teaching.

There is nothing more powerful in conveying truth than when a person lives the truth he propagates and invites imitation. When a parent teaches a child to tie his or her shoes, he will often say, “Here, watch me do it.” Nothing arrogant or hypocritical about that. And then the child imitates the motions of the parent. So, also, in discipling or mentoring other Christians there is a place for the more mature believer saying, “Here, watch me do it.”  However, in doing this, we need to avoid the attitude that we are “better” than others in our Christian walk. Paul’s model was not that of one who has arrived, but of one who was striving to move ahead (see 3:12-15). He invites us to join him in the struggle to know Christ.

The apostle was intentional about modeling his teaching. He wrote to the Corinthians that he was their tutor and, “Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me” (1 Cor 4:16). He kept this modeling in humble perspective when he later wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). In other words, his example was not perfect, but we should follow him as he reflects Christlikeness. Peter also emphasized this when he instructed elders to “prov(e) to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Modeling fleshes out the teachings of Scripture in human form. The example of those who are more mature acts like a surrogate, standing us in good stead until we reach that level of maturity and conviction for ourselves. For example, as a young believer I adopted the view and application of biblical teachings on end times prophesy (eschatology) held by those who were discipling me. I was not ready at that time nor equipped to give this topic the thorough study needed to gain personal conviction. But in time, I came to a place and understanding of Scripture to be able to study that topic in depth and arrive at my own convictions. A great part of the Christian life is learned this way. First following others’ example and then personal conviction.

All the more reason we need good models of Christ-like living, those who have set their focus on pressing toward the mark of the upward call in Christ.