For Our Health!

As I was walking from our local post office and heading downtown toward our bank, I met my former family physician and his wife also walking toward the downtown area. (His practice had in recent years shifted to work more closely with our local hospital than with private patients.) We exchanged greetings and I asked how his transition had gone and then continued walking at my usual quick pace. I connected with them again as I was returning back toward uptown after doing my banking and this time we walked up the hill together and talked about my walking pace and mileage per week. During this conversation he told me he has told others to watch for me and FOLLOW MY EXAMPLE. He then went on to state, "If everyone was like you, we [meaning doctors] would be put out of business." As I walked on I began thinking of how if everyone FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST, what kind of businesses and activities would be put out of business? Oh, what a different world this would be!

Paul urged the Christians at Corinth. . .
"Be imitators of me, AS I AM OF CHRIST." ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV)

The Greek word translated "imitators" is "mimetai" which is from "mimetes" and sounds very similar to our English word. This noun is akin to the verb "mimeomai" which is literally "a mimic" or "an actor" and is therefore translated "imitate". [source: "Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words"] Paul recognized the need for being an EXAMPLE TO BE FOLLOWED, but he raised the focus beyond merely himself to THAT OF CHRIST.

I've noted it before, but I just love the expression of John to Gaius and feel it very worthy of being kept in mind where John wrote. . .

"(2) Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and THAT YOU MAY BE IN GOOD HEALTH, AS IT GOES WELL WITH YOUR SOUL. (3) For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. (4) I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." ( 3 John 2-4 ESV)

To focus on our physical health is a good thing, but it is of even greater significance to focus on our spiritual health since that provides benefit for all things. ( 1 Timothy 4:8) May we continue to keep our eyes on the EXAMPLE OF CHRIST so that the example of our own life can provide a proper visual of the health God desires all to possess. By living in such a manner we will also be doing our part to make the world where we live a little better place to be.

Have a great day EXEMPLIFYING CHRIST!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Spiritual Health