God's Work in the Past

Third, the Bible records examples to help present- day Christians. Various failures of Israel and the resulting judgments of God are often cited in the New Testament as things to avoid, for example, thier idolatry and grumbling in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. The apostle subjoins to these particular cautions a more general one: All these things happened to them for ensamples, and were written for our admonition. Not only the laws and ordinances of the Jews, but the providences of God towards them, were typical. Their sins against God, and backslidings from him, were typical of the infidelity of many under the gospel. God's judgments on them were types of spiritual judgments now. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan typified the exclusion of many under the gospel out of the heavenly Canaan, for their unbelief. Their history was written, to be a standing monitor to the church, even under the last and most perfect dispensation: To us, on whom the end of the world is come, the concluding period of God's gracious government over men.), and thier unbelief at Kadesh (Hebrew 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. The end proposed--rest spiritual and eternal, the rest of grace here and glory hereafter--in Christ on earth, with Christ in heaven). Paul is said to be a living example for believers to follow (1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. We have here the special advice he urges on them: Wherefore I beseech you be you followers of me, v. 16. This he elsewhere explains and limits (ch. xi. 1): "Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Follow me as far as I follow Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister and disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my master Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps." Note, Ministers should so live that their people may take pattern from them, and live after their copy. They should guide them by their lives as well as their lips, go before them in the way to heaven, and not content themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers are to set a pattern, others must take it. They should follow them as far as they are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and practice; 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ, fitly closes his argument; and the way of speaking in the looks like a transition to another. But, whether it more properly belong to this or the last chapter, it is plain from it that Paul not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to imitate. "Be ye followers of me," that is, "Be imitators of me; live as you see me live."), as is Jesus' humilty in the midst of suffering (1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: From their Christian calling and profession: Hereunto were you called).