Follow Christ, Not Christians

Recently, a major hero of mine went from hero to zero in about ten seconds flat.

A pattern of reprehensible behavior on his part left me scratching my head saying, "You've got to be kidding me. No way!"

But in the words of Wayne and Garth, "Way!"

In retrospect, this experience has taught me something very important; in fact it has revealed a significant flaw in my own Christian life.

What did it teach me? Simply this: that it is unwise to put imperfect men up on pedestals where they don't belong.

What was my flaw? Regretfully this: that I myself had been doing just that, putting imperfect men up on pedestals where they didn't belong.

Ouch.

There's nothing quite so uncomfortable as becoming aware of your own flaws while you are busy noticing the flaws of others.

As disappointing and distracting as this whole situation has been, it has certainly taught me an overarching principle that should be embraced by all Christians:

Follow Christ, not Christians.

After all, Jesus taught His disciples over and over again, "Follow Me."

And as Christians, we are indeed His disciples; and as such we should be following Him, not following His followers.

But didn't the Apostle Paul say in 1 Cor. 11:1, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ"? That sounds like we should indeed be following those who are following Christ.

Well, inasmuch as Christians are actually following Christ, of course we can follow their example, for it can indeed be very encouraging to see fellow fallen human beings sincerely following Christ in their daily lives. But we must remember that the One who we are following is ultimately Christ, not the person who is following Christ. That distinction must be embraced, for no matter who the person is, he or she will at some point deviate from the path of Jesus; they must, for His path was perfect.

So here's the take-away for me, and I hope for you as well: Follow Christ, not Christians.