Is Christ Our Example in Every Area?

"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." (Philippians 3:17)

"Christ, though a divine person, was man as we are men; and not only so, but he was, in many respects, a partaker of our circumstances. He dwelt among men. He depended on food and raiment and such outward supports of life as we do. He was subject to the changes of time and the afflictions and calamities of this evil world, and to abuse from men's corruptions and to the same law and rule that we are he used the same ordinances, and had many of our trials, and greater trials than we. So that Christ's example is chiefly offered in Scripture for our imitation...But yet the example of some that are fallen creatures, as we are, may in some respects be more accommodated to our circumstances and more fitted for our instruction than the example of Jesus Christ. For though he became a man as we are, and was like us, and was in our circumstances in so many respects, yet in other things there was a cast difference. He was the head of the church, and we are the members. He is Lord of all; we are his subjects and disciples. And we need an example that shall teach and direct us how to behave toward Christ our Lord and head. And this we may have better in some that have Christ for their Lord as well as we, than in Christ himself." -Jonathan Edwards (Pursuing Holiness in the Lord, 16)

It is not blasphemous for us to say that Christ is not our example in some ways. If Christ is to be our substitute and our righteousness we cannot have him as our example of repentance of sin (though he can be for the overcoming of temptation). There are few areas in which Paul and other saints are a more fitted examples for us but they do exist. Rather than being concerned that there are areas that we cannot look to Christ as an example we should instead glory in his perfect work and know that it is because of that work that we are enabled to do the things which we are talking about.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen