Imitators of Christ

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. We thank God for this is the day He has made and we shall rejoice and be glad in it.

Primary Text

“For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me.” 1 Corinthians 4v15-16 (NLT)

In another place, Paul had written “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11v1 (NIV). Beloved, whose example are you following? Who are you imitating? Are you imitators of those who are following our Lord Jesus or those who are living their lives in ways that do not please the Lord? 2 Thessalonians 3v6-9 (NIV) says “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.” Are you modeling your life in such a way that Christ is being developed in you? Are you observant of those who are doing the same? Philippians 4v17-19 (AMP) tells us “Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.” Beloved, the life you are living, is it as one who is a follower of Christ, or an enemy of the cross of Christ? Examine yourself. Examine those who you are keeping company with and striving to be like. 

Supplementary Text

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4v9 (NIV)

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for Your goodness. We pray that You will surround us with godly people who we can imitate, and that we ourselves will be imitators of Christ, to the glory of Your name in Jesus name, amen.