Live a Life Worthy of Imitation

The Apostle Paul makes a remarkable request of believers, “be imitators of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). He is not calling on believers to follows him as the example, but Jesus, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)

God has always called believers to imitate Him, “For I am YEHOVAH your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). Jesus echoed this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

How could any human ever fulfill this command? God demonstrated that it could be fulfilled by sending Jesus to earth to live a perfect, sinless life that manifested the holiness of God. “He [Jesus] committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus “in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). This is why He could take on our sins at the cross and die on our behalf, “For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Jesus we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Imitating Jesus still seems beyond our abilities because Jesus was both fully man and fully God. Knowing this, the Holy Spirit instructed Paul to be a human example for believers to follow. Paul did not hold himself out as the only example. He called on believers to also follow the example of his coworkers and the other disciples. He commended those that did, “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6).

Church leaders should also be examples to us, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7). Leaders have a special responsibility, “Shepherd the flock of God…proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-4).

Finally, our brethren may also be examples to us, “We desire that each one of you show the same diligence …(and) be imitators of those through faith and patience inherit the promises (of God)” (Hebrews 6:11-12).

Believers are all called to live lives worthy of imitation, lives that demonstrate the holiness of Jesus. “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach” (Titus 2:7-8). Also, “in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12).

This is a call to sanctification – be become disciples and representatives of Jesus. We have God’s assistance in fulfilling our calling. “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

We are transformed from imitators to those who are imitated.