Every person on the planet lives according to a worldview. Whether we realize it or not, we all have a lens through which we see life and determine what matters most. For most people, that worldview is some version of humanism — the belief that we are the point of our own existence, that life is about our happiness, our comfort, our pleasure.
But as Christians, we hold to a different worldview. The Bible makes clear that life is not about us — it’s about God. Romans 11:36 puts it plainly: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.”
In Philippians 3:17, Paul issues a challenge to the church: “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” The pursuit of the upward call — the prize of knowing Christ — is not meant to be traveled alone. We need others to follow. But who should we follow? Paul gives us two qualities to look for.
1. Follow Someone Who Handles Mistakes with Repentance and Humility
The first quality is not perfection — it’s repentance. No follower of Christ is perfect. Every major biblical character has sin recorded about them. Peter denied Christ three times. Moses murdered someone. David committed adultery and murder. Paul himself struggled with pride and had an outburst of anger that he later had to repent of.
What matters is not the absence of failure, but how a person responds to failure. Do they make excuses? Blame others? Give up? Or do they confess, turn around, and keep pressing on?
Paul himself struggled with pride. In 2 Corinthians 12, he describes a “thorn in the flesh” that God gave him to keep him from becoming conceited. Paul pleaded with God to remove it — three times — and God said no. His response is a model of humility:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul also struggled with anger. In Acts 23, after a heated confrontation, he immediately recognized his sin: “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'”
Look for someone who has failed and kept going. Someone who admits when they’re wrong. Someone who lets God’s grace do its work in them. That’s the kind of person worth following.
2. Follow Someone Who Lives According to God’s Standards
The second quality is consistency — someone whose life is shaped by God’s Word. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy: “Set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Five areas where we should see godliness in those we follow:
Speech. Do they use their words to build others up? Do they speak truth, even when it’s hard? (1 Timothy 4:12a)
Conduct. Do their actions match their words? Hebrews 13:7 says to “consider the outcome of their way of life” — the fruit of someone’s faith should be visible. (1 Timothy 4:12b)
Love. True love — agape, the God-kind of love — doesn’t pursue people’s happiness; it pursues their holiness. Real love desires others to become more like Jesus. (1 Timothy 4:12c)
Faith. Are they convinced that the Bible is true? Do they live like Jesus is actually coming back? (1 Timothy 4:12d)
Purity. Someone serious about godliness isn’t perfect, but they are committed. They don’t continually indulge the sinful nature without repentance. They get back up when they fall. (1 Timothy 4:12e)
So What?
We live in a world full of competing worldviews. Every influencer, every role model, every voice online is telling you what to believe and how to live. The question is: who are you actually following?
Paul’s command is simple: find people who are pursuing the prize and follow them. People who fail and repent. People whose lives are shaped by God’s Word. People who point you to Christ.
And here’s the beautiful part — this is not just about finding the right people to follow. It’s about becoming the right person for others to follow. Every one of us is being watched by someone. Our kids. Our neighbors. The next generation in our church. They are asking the same question: who should I follow?
May we be people who handle our failures with humility, who live according to God’s standards, and who point others to Christ — the only One truly worthy to be followed.
Scripture References
- Philippians 3:17-4:1 — The call to follow and the hope of resurrection
- Romans 11:36 — All things from Him, through Him, and to Him
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 — God’s grace is sufficient in weakness
- Acts 23:1-5 — Paul’s repentance after an outburst of anger
- 1 Timothy 4:6-12 — Five marks of a godly example
- Hebrews 13:7 — Consider the outcome of their way of life