Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that they should "be imitators" of him (1 Corinthians 4:16).  Now that would sound arrogant and possibly even heretical without the context of verse 17, where he writes that his ways "are in Christ..."  It infuriates me and breaks my heart at the same time when I hear:  "Do as I say, not as I do," especially when it comes from a father.  I have also seen those who teach our children who can't seem to speak without filth flowing from their mouths, and who only get enthusiastic about drinking after work.  Meanwhile the eyes of our children search for something real.  They grope through life day to day, hungering for the security of truth and a man in their lives who is governed by more than his own lusts, but again and again they go unsatisfied. In the absence of a real man, their young world-weary eyes settle for alternatives, which their enemy is more than eager to supply.  Gentlemen, our children are going to look somewhere for an example of how to navigate life.  What will they find?  What kind of man stands before them?

Later in the same letter, Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:  "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."  Paul's hope was not in his ability to set the right example.  He knew, as we all do, that the strength of man fails, without exception.  So our only hope, as Paul frequently wrote, is to live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh, which is also easier said than done.  The answer, though, lies in Hebrews 12:1-3.  Now there may be legitimate room for debate as to whether or not the "cloud of witnesses" is a reference to those who are watching us now, or to those mentioned in chapter 11 who forever are witnesses to us through their acts of faith.  Regardless, the meaning of what follows remains the same:

 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.