The usage of the word “mock-up” is attributed to Winston Churchill. While he was drawing up some battle plans, Churchill said: “It is necessary to construct without delay a dummy fleet…They are then to be mocked up to represent particular battleships of the 1st and 2nd Battle Squadrons.” A few years later the noun form of “mocked up” found its way into the English language as “mock-up.”

According to dictionary.com, “mock-up” is used to “describe the making of a replica used for study, testing, or teaching.”

Paul had the “mock-up” concept in mind when he said: “Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you.” The word “example” is the Greek word “typos” and is used in reference to a “moral pattern (Philippians 3).”

When you think of Churchill’s “mock-up” and Paul’s “typos” in relation to your life, what do you see? Is your life a “mock-up” or a mockery? Is it a “typos” or a typo?

To live a disciplined Christian life, study the “mock-up” of Paul’s training regimen found in I Corinthians 9:

“Do you remember how, on a racing-track, every competitor runs, but only one wins the prize? Well, you ought to run with your minds fixed on winning the prize! Every competitor in athletic events goes into serious training. Athletes will take tremendous pains—for a fading crown of leaves. But our contest is for an eternal crown that will never fade. I run the race then with determination. I am no shadow-boxer, I really fight! I am my body’s sternest master, for fear that when I have preached to others I should myself be disqualified (9:24-27).”