Follow Jesus’ Example

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

-John 13:15

Consider for a moment those who are looked upon as heroes and roll models in our culture today. Typically these persons are athletes, movie stars, rock stars, actors, and famous singers. We don’t seem to mind at all contributing to the immense wealth of these people through paying to see their movies, attending their concerts, or purchasing tickets to their games. A good many of these celebrities have vast fortunes beyond anything their typical fans could imagine. It’s interesting that the TV show “American Idol” chose to call itself that, for that is a fitting title. These celebrities are indeed idolized in our culture.

But we realize that quite often those persons looked up to, glamorized, imitated, and yes, idolized, are really not worthy of imitation. To put it bluntly, they often make terrible role models. They are frequently involved in scandals, their behavior is at times erratic and risky, and their morals seldom match up with those taught in the Word of God. How does such a thing happen? How is it that our culture has provided such wealth and fame to persons who make the worst kind of role models? The answer lies in the fact that many if not most of the celebrities of our day are glorified in and of themselves. Anytime we begin to glorify people we will soon be disappointed. We will be disappointed because those persons we glorify have the habit of behaving like people; frail, human, and subject to flaws and mistakes. The Bible teaches that we are to give all glory to God. When we glorify the Lord in all things we will never be disappointed. Christ will not let us down, He will never fail, and He will never forsake us. Let all glory, honor, and praise be given to the Lord Jesus.