The Proclaimer

"Mark Them That So Walk"

Like it or not we have all been influenced by something or someone.  The fact is, there are many influences in our lives.  Early on we are undoubtedly most influenced by our parents.  As we grow older our teachers exert a great influence over us.  But perhaps the greatest influence on a daily basis is the ones we chose to associate with – our friends.  Because influence can be either positive or negative, Paul warns, “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).  Many a good boy or girl has been led astray by the influence of evil companionships.

Certainly we are to be concerned about the kind of influence we exert in our lives. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us that as His disciples we are “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).  Hence, “let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (v. 16).  As the “salt of the earth” (v. 13) we must make sure that we are influencing the world rather than the world influencing us.  In this regard we should want folks to follow our lead and imitate us.  Even as Paul wrote, “Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).  A good pattern imitated is a good pattern set for others.  Because of this, the choosing of whom we imitate is crucial.  

Paul writes to the Philippians, “Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil. 3:17).  The word “mark” in this passage is from the Greek skopeo and means “to look at, observe, contemplate” (Thayer, p. 579).  It is a word that implies thoughtful observance involving the intellect as well as the eye.  It is used in a negative sense by Paul as he writes to the Romans, “mark them that are causing divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them” (Rom. 16:17).  We therefore have two types of individuals we are to “mark” or identify: the false teacher who causes divisions and occasions of stumbling, and the one who in his obedience is imitating the Lord in his life.  The former we are to turn away from, the later we are to embrace and imitate. 

We cannot set a good example without following a good example.  If we choose to associate with those who are unconcerned about pleasing God in their lives it should not shock anyone that the example we set is not as it should be.  It’s crucial to our spiritual welfare, as well as the example we set, that we choose to be with those who are imitating the Lord in their life.  Only as we imitate Him can we let our light shine.

But Beware! There are evil companionships and bad examples; “enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things” (Phil. 3:18, 19).  In stark contrast to this, we are to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2).  We are, “not to look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Our concern must not be the physical, but the spiritual, “for our citizenship is in heaven” (v. 20).  I wonder how our conduct and behavior here on earth would be affected simply by remembering our citizenship is in heaven?

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer