All of us send messages and get messages from each other. We don’t always have to agree on everything, but we can learn from others. Listening and learning is a lifelong adventure that incorporates many different avenues of giving and receiving. Verbalizing thoughts and receiving thoughts is part of the process of learning, exhibiting, and modeling is another part of the learning process. Here are some thoughts on learning from others.
Philippians 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
Paul wrote to the church at Philippi asking them to imitate him as well as keep their eyes out for “those who walk according to the example you have in us.” Over the many years as a believer, as well as being in ministry, there has been hundreds of people who have been a great example to follow. I have kept my eyes on them and learned from them. Of course, I have also experienced people who were not good examples as well. Paul is honest with the church in this letter, reminding them that there were those who had forsaken his example, there will always be people who set a bad example, and unfortunately there will be those who forsake Christ all together. That is disheartening and discouraging, but for everyone that I know who has forsaken Christ I can name many, many more who still faithfully serve Him.
Of course, the greatest example to follow is Jesus, Peter highlights Jesus as the greatest of all examples. 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. Those who follow in Jesus steps are worthy of hearing and following. Paul reminds Titus to be that kind of example so that he might impact others. Titus 2:7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. There should be many people in our lives that set an example for us to follow, most would probably be people who we worship with, there are faithful followers of Jesus in and around our lives to follow if we take time to think about them.
It goes without saying that we follow Jesus First, He is the perfect example, however He has won a people to Himself, and they are worthy of following as well because they follow His example. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Later Paul would write to the church at Philippi, Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Paul is not saying he is to be followed blindly, he is confident however that they can follow his example because his standard is, “as I am of Christ”.
Keeping all of this in mind, I am sharing with you what I believe are some good thoughts from different people. Some you may or not agree with, it would be impossible for me to try to please everyone who differed with me or with an author. My goal is to share not debate. I have not met most of the authors but have followed them through their writings, some for years, and others with new interest. Some I have met in seminars or other venues and have learned from them. Some have been recommended by friends who have encouraged me to listen to them and learn from them, and I am better because of that advice.
If you have differences with some of the people or material, please don’t capitalize on the differences, but rather capitalize on sameness. I am not speaking of glaring objective biblical discrepancies or deviances; I am talking about our opinions which are often subjective and personal. Gospel sameness is good to focus upon when reading others, even if you disagree you will show grace and learn from them. Let’s grow in acknowledging that there may be differences and approach those differences with grace. Enjoying reading from others does not mean that I fully endorse a particular ministry, it does mean that I am encouraged by a thought or observation in one’s writings, that is why I am sharing it with you.