Examples (Matthew 23:2-3; 12:33; Hebrews 6:12; Romans 4:12,17-20)

Footprints

Do as I Say

Sometimes authority figures get caught in the hypocrisy of their actions not living up to the standard of their verbal instruction, and somewhere the totally inappropriate saying was birthed, "do as I say, not as I do", of course this is countered with the proverbial statement, "your actions speak so loud; I can't hear what you're saying".

The Tree and the Fruit

Jesus, speaking of the Pharisees, said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but don't you do after their works: for they say, and do not" (Matt. 23:2-3). Jesus also said, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matt. 12:33). Whatever is in a person is what they produce in their lives.

Godly Examples

We need people that are living a godly life so we can follow their example, not only because of (1) the positive effects it produces in our lives, but (2) as proof that a life of godliness, living right, all the time, is totally achievable, and not just when the microscope of scrutiny is focused on them personally.

Followers

Hebrews 6:12 says, don't be "...slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises".

The word 'slothful' is the Greek word (nothros), 3576, basically meaning 'lazy'. the scripture says, 'Don't be Lazy', but 'Followers', which is the Greek word (mimetes), 3402, which is 'an imitator', but like the English word 'mimic', it has the idea of doing exactly what they have done, to achieve the results they have obtained.

Paul, by the Spirit of God, boldly challenged Believers to imitate him, to watch him and do what he did; live how he lived, 24/7; study his actions and behavior. (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1), and do the same thing.

Walk in the Steps

Romans 4:12 says that Abraham is the father, not only of the Jewish race, but tells us he is the father of all, "...who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham..."

Walk

The word 'walk' is the Greek word  [ στοιχέω (stŏichĕō), 4748]. It's a military term meaning to 'advance in rank', 'to go in order', 'to march (forward) in military rank', and even, 'to go on prosperously". It was used 'with reference to military forces taking their place in line; lined up in battle'

Steps

Interestingly, 'steps', is the Greek word [ἴχνος (íchnos), 2487], which literally refers to 'the impression left by the sole of the foot in walking', or the 'footprint'. The words in this verse are in the plural, and continuous, meaning a track of footprints where someone has gone, or a continuous, on-going, trail of footprints where a person is to place their feet in exactly the same footprints of the one who has gone before, like a child's game of trying to place their tiny feet in their father's footsteps, not varying from them, as they continue to move forward. 

Franchise

There is a business model called a franchise, and with very little exception, wherever you find a McDonalds, A&W, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut, etc., they have developed a pattern of success, and they do exactly the same thing; the same formula, to achieve the same results. There is a pattern that they follow and they do not vary from it, because it has been proven successful. 

Abraham

We have, in scripture, exactly what Abraham did, to achieve the miraculous results that manifested, through the power of God. He was like God, who gives life to the dead, and called those things which were not (visible), as though they were (a visible reality) (Rm.4:17). Against all natural hope, he believed in supernatural hope, according to that which was spoken to him by God (Rm.4:18), and being not weak in faith, he considered not the impossible circumstances. He did not stagger at the promise [word spoken to him], by God, but he was strong in faith, thanking God, for what he could not see, in the natural, until it became visible in the natural (Rm.4:19-20).

Results

The fact that the Word of God encourages us to, as military soldiers, imitate, and follow in rank, those that have gone before, placing our feet in the exact same footprints, or steps, that they have walked, and to continue to do the same things, and say the same things they did, means that it will produce the same results that those heroes of faith experienced! 

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours