Imitate Me

Imitate Me
written by Chris Baker

What does a typical day look like for you? Who do you interact with and what sorts of things do you talk about? What sorts of things flow from your heart and out of your mouth? How do you respond to the world around you? How do you respond to the latest gossip floating around the office, lunchroom, classroom, soccer field, living room, and so forth? How do you treat the boss, co-worker, teacher, student, family member, etc. that nobody likes? How do you treat, respond to or interact with that person? What is your attitude or outlook like? I could go on and on. Being honest with yourself, compare those questions to your typical day. Do you feel that you are modeling Christ in all that you do? This is not a legalistic question but one that looks to the heart of the person. Why does it matter how we answer those questions above? How do those questions affect me and those around me? What does Scripture say about this? 

Take a moment and read 1 Corinthians 4:11-17 by clicking here. The Apostle Paul is speaking in this passage. Paul, a leader in the Church, is often hungry and thirsty, wearing humble worn out clothing. He is treated brutally and currently homeless. This is a leader of the Christian faith. This is a far cry from the prosperity gospel we so often hear about these days. This is the life of a Believer in the early church. What is Paul’s response to this way of life? 

Paul says they work hard with their hands. Meaning, he worked hard to provide for himself so that he would not be a burden to anyone. When they are cursed by others, they bless them in return. Whenever they are persecuted, which was often, they would endure it. Whenever anyone would slander them in any way, they would answer kindly in response. Paul says that up until that current moment they had become the scum of the earth, the excrement of the world! 

Paul follows up this statement by letting the church know that he is not trying to shame them, rather, to warn them. He is letting them know that he is a spiritual father to them, therefore, he wants them to be encouraged by his way of life. Paul urges the church to imitate him. Elsewhere, Paul says, “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). 

Paul is the real deal. He lives what he preaches. He does not say, “do what I say and not what I do.” Rather, he models what he believes through his actions. Looking at Paul’s life, you get what you see. There are no mirrors or pretending. He does not hide behind an image of himself which he tries to portray. What you see is what you get. Looking at Paul, you see Christ. You see Jesus in his attitude, actions, reactions, thinking, convictions, and so on. Paul models Christ Jesus in all that he says and does. Many believers today say this is not possible. I beg to differ. 

Paul goes on to say, “for this reason I am sending you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church” (NIV). Paul says, by the way, watch Timothy’s life because he models Christ as well! I cannot help but think, “what would the Apostle say about my life?” Would he be able to say, “I am sending you Chris, follow him as he follows Christ?” Plug your name into that sentence. Would Paul recommend you? This question should not shame us, rather, cause us to examine our lives. Do I model Christ with my life? Not faking it in a legalistic way, rather, does my whole person model Christ? Do you wish to be the real deal? 

Some may question my sanctification, but I miss the mark many times. However, my desire is to please the Lord and live the life that He has calls me to live. I believe the Lord looks at the intentions and desires of the heart. I believe, since we have the Holy Spirit within us, that we can live a holy life. I believe that I can have the mind and heart of Christ. I believe that I can model Christ in my thought life, attitudes, actions and with my whole person. 

Unfortunately, I do not always succeed in these areas as much as I would like too. However, this is where grace comes in. The grace of Jesus Christ will enable us to life an authentic life. The more time we spend with Jesus, through prayer and reading and applying His Word, the closer we will be to Him. The closer we are to Him, the more we will reflect Him. 

I am on a lifelong journey with Jesus. I continue to spend time with Him and move closer to Him. He continues to reveal unfruitful things in me, so that, He can draw me closer! The Lord continues to cut off the non-fruit bearing branches in me. The good news is, as He continues to prune, I will continue to grow. In growth, I reflect more of His image. Therefore, I am able to say, come follow me as I follow Christ. Let’s journey together, as we seek to reflect the Risen Lord in our lives. Let’s journey together, as we seek to imitate the Christian life; “Christ in me, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).