Follow Me—As I Follow Christ
I was visiting with an old friend the other day who told me that growing up in his church, he really admired the preacher. He admired the minister so much that he thought that one day he might like to become a pastor himself. He told me that the preacher was so important in his life that he sometimes walked behind him and tried to walk just like he did.
You have likely seen the humorous and sometimes scary moments where one of your children or grandchildren have developed certain mannerisms or maybe say things that they absolutely learned by watching you! We never know which of our traits or behaviors that those we raise and those who follow us are choosing to imitate, so we better be careful with our words and actions.
Several times in the writings of the apostle Paul he tells his readers to imitate him:
“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Unless you are a narcissist, you wouldn’t be comfortable with these sentences based on how they begin. I suspect that like me you are well aware that you aren’t the smartest person or the one who thinks maturely or behaves perfectly in every situation and in every way. So I don’t really think it is a good idea for someone to simply imitate me.
However, Paul’s qualifications as his thoughts are developed suggest that if we are faithful in our spiritual formation, then we can and must serve as examples for those we care about and even those we don’t know to follow.
In the first reference above, Paul calls his audience to “join in imitating me.” As Paul continues, he adds: “and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” If Paul ended his thoughts there, I would still be concerned about following his example and of anyone following my example. But as the paragraph continues, Paul describes the difference in those who follow the ideas and patterns of the world and those who live as “citizens of heaven” and have their hearts, minds, and actions aligned with one who is subject to Christ.
The second reference is from 1 Corinthians and there, after Paul says clearly, “Be imitators of me,” he quickly adds, “as I am of Christ.” In other words, Paul’s instructions are to only imitate him as he imitates Jesus.
Paul was definitely not encouraging his followers to see themselves as “saviors” of anything, though sometimes we do think that we have that kind of power or influence. Paul’s point is that if we are imitating Christ, then we are living a life that reflects his love and is demonstrated through how we serve others.
I saw an old friend just yesterday on a downtown corner while he was on a short break from his work in a factory. As we discussed his job, he said, “I don’t work for the boss, I work for God.” He went on to explain that some of his coworkers don’t like him to say that and some don’t understand what he means by that statement. He finished his explanation by referring to Paul’s thoughts: “I tell them imitate me as I imitate Christ.” I think my friend is worthy of imitating.
What we don’t want to do is be a cheap impersonation of holiness. And the only way that won’t happen is if we take seriously what Paul said in Galatians 2:20:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Father, today we surrender our lives to you and die to self so that you might live in us and through us. May our lives reflect you in every way so that we might hope that others would follow us as we follow you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Philippians 3:17-21; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1 ESV
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