The Ultimate Role Model

What is a role model?  Webster's dictionary defines the term as: "A person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others".  Emulate is defined as attempting to equal".  Therefore, it may be said that a role model is someone we desire to be equal to in behavior or example.  It is also noteworthy to see that to have an individual as a role model is a conscious choice that one makes.

Don't we all model ourselves after someone to some degree?  In so doing, this individual that we imitate can have a profound effect on our lives...Possibly an eternal effect.  Therefore we need to consciously, prayerfully, and wisely select our role models and if applicable the role models for our children.

Who are some good role models?  One could name countless individuals who undoubtedly have admirable traits worthy of imitation.  When one reflects on the concept of the perfect role model one might say there is none.  Yet as Christians we should be well aware of the fact that we have the perfect role model...the Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ.

Let us consider Ephesians 5:12 where Paul exhorts believers: "Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children..."  What a picture!  How do children imitate or model after their parents?  Do they not watch every move, listen to every word, observe the parent's actions and reactions?  What better life to imitate than that of God the heavenly Father.  Even if our earthly Fathers left us with no positive traits to emulate, we have a spiritual Father of perfect love who it would do us well to imitate.

Now take a look at Philippians 2:5.  "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."  The Spirit inspired apostle Paul tells us that Christ Jesus should be the role model for our attitudes.  What attitudes of Jesus should we model?  In looking at verse six Paul tells us that even though Christ was deity he did not consider himself equal to God.  We too need to recognize that there is a supreme power to whom we should submit.

Philippians 2:7-8 reveals the attitude of servanthood modeled by Christ.  This servant-mindedness is displayed in two acts of complete humility.  The washing of the apostles feet in John 13:1-9 is the first.  Here we see the Son of God performing an act that was usually left to the lowliest of servants.  The recipients of this act were men who that in a few short hours would deny they even knew Jesus.

The second act of humility was Jesus submitting himself to death on the cross...the blood sacrifice required to provide the gift of salvation to a world that would for the most part spurn this gift.

What other attitudes of Christ can we find that we should strive to emulate?  Philippians 2:8 and Luke 22:42 provide us with examples of total obedience on Jesus' part.  He did not desire to suffer the full wrath of God toward the sins of mankind as he hung on the cross.  Yet if the Father deemed that it was necessary for this to occur he would willingly obey. Obedience to the point of death on the cross.

Mark 5:24-34 tells us the story of Christ's healing the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years.  As she reached out and touched Him he did not call for punishment which the Old law allowed , but rather he offered her healing.  The account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11:1-12:19 and so many other scriptures provide us with illustrations of the compassion of Christ.

Finally, let us look at Luke 23:34.  "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."  Words of forgiveness from one who had been tortured, rejected and now hung dying on a cross.  A death you and I deserved...not Him.  The ability and willingness to forgive those who would seem unforgivable.  Ones who definitely did not deserve forgiveness.  This He has done for those who will accept this precious gift.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)  :Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)  These scriptures from the inspired word leave us with no doubt as to the fact that we should imitate the Father and the Son's attitude of forgiveness.

Submission, servanthood, humility, total obedience, compassion, forgiveness.  Though these are not popular concepts in today's society, it would do us well to imitate Christ and God the Father in these matters; to do so has eternal reward.  To do so also leads to a fuller, richer life while on this earth.

Take time in God's word, the Bible, to look for other attributes worthy of imitation.  Search the scriptures...listen...watch...consider.  Imitate what you see.

-J. Watson

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