Discipleship Week 13: Imitate those who have been tested

Philippians 2:22

“But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”

As we seek to have mature Christian influences in our lives we should seek out people who have been tested. It is easy to be attracted to the charismatic pastor, or to the believer who appears to be on fire for the Lord. We want what they have. And often the fire that we see does come from a deep, genuine faith that is well worth emulating in our own lives.

However the appearance of godliness and a deep passion for God does not always correlate to actual godliness and a strong relationship with the Lord. Sadly, the charisma and passion often does not go beneath the surface. But this is why Paul gives us the example of both Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples for us to imitate. Both men have been tested, and the tests have shown their faith to be substantive, genuine, and lasting. In Timothy’s case he has been tested by time. He has served alongside of Paul for years, in the same way that a son grew up learning his father’s trade. So the Philippians would know, based on his long association with Paul, of his qualification for gospel ministry. In Epaphroditus’ case the test was hardship. Verse 27 tells us that he almost died, and it was seemingly only a sovereign act of God that kept him alive and helped him to recover. But such a hardship reveals Epaphroditus’ true character and faith…he is willing to die for the work of Christ (v.30). His faith is not superficial in any way! Because of the testing of their faith, both Timothy and Epaphroditus stand as examples of faith that is worth imitating.

So when we seek to have mature Christian influences in our lives, people who can be examples for us on how to live the Christian life, we need to seek out people who have been tested, by time, or by hardship, or better yet, by both. Such testing reveals how much substance there is to a person’s faith. It burns away any superficiality, it destroys the masks that people put up to appear spiritual, and it leaves only real, genuine faith (or a lack thereof). It reveals whether a person’s faith is built on a strong foundation or a weak one (Matthew 7:24-27). And such testing produces perseverance in the believer, which leads to spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4). So it is critical that the people we seek to imitate in the Christian life are people who have been tested.

1. Think about Christians you know who have been tested, either by time, by hardship, or both. What do you notice about their faith that is different from someone who has not been tested in these ways? What is attractive about their faith that you want to see in your own life?

2. James 1:2-4 says that the testing of our faith produces perseverance, which leads to spiritual maturity. What are areas of your life where you are lacking in perseverance, and how does the example of other believers who have been tested, either by time or by hardship, or both, challenge you and encourage you to grow in perseverance and in your relationship with God?