Articles
Imitators
There is an old adage that says, 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.' It is true that many — possibly even without intending to do so — praise someone or something by copying a look, style, or their actions. [We do not include mocking, which is an imitation purposefully meant to ridicule.] Positive imitation is an attempt to look like or be like someone admired or respected, and the act of imitation illustrates an approval of someone or something that is being imitated.
This being true, it should come as no surprise that disciples would want to imitate their Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father. Paul admonishes us to “be imitators of God as dear children” (Eph. 5:1), and Jesus Himself said, “be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48); we who are God's children are to imitate Him. Jesus also said, “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (Matt. 10:25). "It is satisfactory" is the meaning as stated by Jesus, and satisfying the Lord is the disciple's goal, is it not? Imitating Jesus Christ — becoming like our teacher and Master — is certainly one way we can please Him, but it is more than just something to please Him; it is a necessity.
Paul, in fact, reveals to all disciples that Christ established “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should…may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:11-15). Christ wants us to become more like Him, and established certain positions within the church to help us attain to that goal.
To truly and properly imitate Jesus demands that I strive to be like Him in every way, too. John put it this way: “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Earlier, John put it a little stronger when he wrote, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). The fact is, if I claim to be in Christ [i.e., one of His disciples], then I must live as He lived, and I cannot continue living like the world, or I am no longer imitating Him.
This demand — that we no longer live like the world — is a logical expectation for those who chose to follow Jesus, and of our purposeful choice to become more like Him. John admonishes us, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11). Paul's admonition regarding this is clear: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Earlier in this same letter, Paul admonished these disciples, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:12, 13).
To become like Jesus necessarily means we cannot be like the world in pursuing fleshly lusts, for the two are completely different paths. We must acknowledge that, despite the fact many churches are looking more and more like the world — offering physical enticements to get them in the door and offering more physical enticements to get them to stay — and despite many professing believers living no different than those of the world, the Lord's people must not be imitators of the world, nor even desire to be.
And simply saying I am not imitating the world is not enough; I need to honestly examine my life and see whether it looks more like Christ, or more like the world. A few areas of my life might give me an answer…
My Time. One of the ways we show what is most important to us is the amount of time spend in that endeavor, in that place, with that thing, or with that individual. A disciple is one whose life is now supposed to be given in service to the Lord, but if I imitate the world, I won't think of putting God first in my life, or making time to worship Him regularly.
Since Jesus put His father's will first in everything He did, even when praying in the garden shortly before He was taken away to be crucified (cf. Matt. 26:39), then we must follow His example in giving my life to God, seeking Him first (Matt. 6:33), and becoming a “living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1). That means I must give my time to the Lord in His service.
My Speech. Whether I imitate the world or imitate Christ, my speech will reflect it. The world has no hesitation to use profane, crude, rude, and filthy language, but Christians must not imitate the profane and vulgar ways of the world in this.
We are admonished to not take part in “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting” (Eph. 5:4) as disciples, and “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29). Even the world will know, by our words, whether or not we imitate the world or imitate Christ. My speech must validate my claim to be a follower of Jesus.
My Appearance. While there is no Scripture or even combination of passages that outline a distinct code for Christians as to what they should wear or some description of how their physical appearance should be measured or perceived, the question is not necessarily a matter of clothing [though decency and modesty certainly apply] or even specifics regarding one's physical appearance. The question really is this: Are we trying to look like the world, or like godly people demonstrating a life of holiness and a spiritual mindset?
When I was a bit younger Madonna set the fashion trend for a great number of young women and teenage girls. Suddenly wearing underwear on the outside of clothing [or just by itself] was 'popular' and the 'style' of the day. As has often been the case in the USA, people in the entertainment industry are also often the trend-setters for clothing fashions, and far too many are willing to follow — that is, imitate — their ways. While some of those fashion and style trends may not necessarily be indecent [duck tail hairdos of the 50s], the more important question is, Why are we trying to follow the world in anything? Why would Christians surrender their sense of modesty and morality simply because 'society' accepts such low standards? Again, who are we trying imitate: Christ, or the world?
When the apostle Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” 1 Cor. 11:1, he laid down the pattern that every disciple since then should be striving for in life: imitating Christ. When we make this our goal, we will then have the spiritual strength enough to resist the world's attempts to make us look like them, seek entertainment they seek, speak like they speak, and make no time for God as they chase after worldly pleasures. Let us strive for this spiritual strength, and let us strive to be more like Christ every day.
“Be holy, for I am holy.” —— Steven Harper
