Friday, May 08, 2015

In our last visit we found that a good Christian mentor would be one others would be encouraged to follow because they see them following the example of Jesus Christ. Some might see this as promoting arrogance, an expression of pride. I must admit, this thought arose in my own mind. Maybe Paul could say this, but I’m not Paul. But am I one that others would take note of as living according to the pattern Paul prescribed? I believe we should aspire to being such an example. We can’t be such without the work of God’s Spirit within us. This is a work of grace. But can we say what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” Paul made progress in his Christian walk by the grace of God and by his own hard work. But he acknowledged his hard work was a further expression of God’s grace working in him. Jesus initiated this whole process. Remember, Jesus said in Mark 1:17, “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul encouraged believers to “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” I believe that to encourage others to follow our example as we follow Christ’s example in not pride, it is gracious humility. It is humility, in that I’m aware that, apart from God’s grace, I could not have become what I am. Gracious, in that I want others to experience what God has done in my life. That’s what good Christian mentoring is all about.